NOVEMBER 13, 2006 -- NeoPhotonics (search for NeoPhotonics) today announced what it claims is a significant expansion of its product line for reconfigurable DWDM high-capacity optical networks via the acquisition of Paxera Corp. (search for Paxera) of Santa Clara, CA.
Paxera's ultra-widely tunable lasers enhance NeoPhotonics' existing line of products found in dynamically managed and reconfigurable networks, including ROADMs, dynamic channel equalizers, variable optical attenuator (VOA) multiplexers, VOA modules and channel monitoring. Paxera's technology also enables tunable filters and supports increasingly prevalent 40-Gbit/sec data rate applications.
"Due to the exponential increase in network traffic driven by FTTH and other broadband access deployments, dynamic tunability and reconfigurability of high-capacity connections are required in advanced metro and long-haul fiber networks," reports Tim Jenks, CEO of NeoPhotonics. "Paxera has set a high standard for tunable lasers and filters and other dynamic network elements, and the Paxera team is extremely capable and talented. We are excited to add these products and capabilities to our portfolio."
"Dynamic management and reconfiguration of networks require a suite of network elements that work in a coordinated fashion to provision new network services 'on the fly' without disrupting existing services," adds Ben Sitler, CEO of Paxera. "Our tunable laser meshes perfectly with NeoPhotonics' other reconfiguration products to provide customers with a comprehensive solution to their component and module needs."
In addition, he says, the Paxera laser can be used for sparing in existing systems to reduce inventory management and supply chain costs. A Paxera laser with a single part number can be used in place of any one of 200 fixed wavelength lasers, each with its own individual part number. "It is the first true 'universal laser' that covers all channels, all data rates, and all output powers with fast switching speed in one laser," Sitler contends.
Based on patented "acousto-optic" techniques, Paxera uses a single ultra-widely tunable laser to cover an 80-nm tuning range on the 50-GHz ITU grid, supporting C-band, L-band, Extended L-band (XL-band), and C+L band operations. The continuous wave (CW) external cavity laser exhibits low random intensity noise (RIN), good Side Mode Suppression, and a narrow line-width. Featuring adjustable output power up to 20mW, the laser can switch to any wavelength in under 10 msec, which meets SONET/SDH and DWDM protection switching requirements.
In addition, the device supports remote provisioning of dynamically reconfigurable networks. The design uses standard off-the-shelf components for low manufacturing costs and has no moving parts, say Paxera representatives. The laser module integrates a butterfly package with all the requisite drive and control electronics into an OIF MSA compliant ITLA module, which is suitable for use in a 300-pin transponder or on a DWDM line card.
Paxera represents an important complement to NeoPhotonics' other recent strategic acquisitions, say company representatives, including LightConnect Inc. and OpTun, Inc. (June 2006), and BeamExpress (August 2006).
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