Albis' photodiodes feature integrated bandpass filter for FTTx applications

JANUARY 7, 2008 -- Albis Optoelectronics AG (search for Albis Optoelectronics), subsidiary of the Canadian Enablence Technologies Inc., today announced it has started shipping photodiodes with an integrated optical bandpass filter.

FTTH transceivers typically utilize WDM glass filters to avoid optical crosstalk between the different optical channels. Photodiodes with a build-in optical filter can eliminate the need for external filters, thus reducing component count as well as assembly cost. Even if optical designers prefer to continue using external WDM filters, a filtered photodiode will bring down residual optical crosstalk and improve module sensitivity, say Albis representatives.

The company's optical bandpass filter is designed for FTTx channels at 1490 nm and offers a typical attenuation of 25 dB for signals at 1555 nm. A photodiode with such an integrated bandpass filter detects the digital downstream signal without distortion by the analog signal traveling in the same direction.

"Photodiodes with a built-in attenuation of 25 dB between 1490 and 1555 nm are yet another technology breakthrough offered by Albis," contends Peter Cairoli, president and managing director of Albis Optoelectronics. "This innovation at the optical component level opens the door for novel FTTx transceiver designs and helps to meet the aggressive price targets for ONU modules," he adds.

The family of filtered photodiodes now includes integrated short-, long-, and bandpass filters, available in large volumes on the PDCS85F and PDCS120F photodiode platforms. Production is ongoing and first shipments are already underway. The filtered photodiodes will be displayed at the FOE exhibition in Tokyo next week and at OFC/NFOEC in San Diego in February.

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