14 June 10 2002 -- Teem Photonics, Grenoble, France, has begun shipping its Metro erbium-doped waveguide amplifier (EDWA) series to OEMs in Europe and US. The demand for the Metro EDWA series, Teem says, lies in range of performances with "considerable reductions in cost and size".
Andrew Benn, Product Line Manager for Active Components, said, "We can offer an EDFA on a chip - an optical amplifier similar to a micro EDFA, but smaller and more cost-effective."
Three C-band versions are available for Metro applications:
- Metro EDWA-SC - as a single channel booster or pre-amp for metro applications;
- Metro EDWA-NB - to amplify adjacent 4-8 channels in metro DWDM networks;
- Metro EDWA-DWDM ? a >15dBm unit aimed at amplifying multiple channels in a metro ring or spans.
"The influx of orders following OFC 2002 preceded the release of our Telcordia GR 1312 compliance results, and meant that in production we needed to be very reactive," said Herve Hautin, VP Manufacturing. "The experience Teem gained from our passive line, combined with the flexibility of our planar technology platform, we have increased volume and implemented a quality process."
Planar integration underlies Teem's proprietary low cost ion-exchange process that is used to manufacture the Metro EDWA series. Metro EDWAs are full function gain modules with uncooled pumps and electronic options in an 81x35x12mm 16 pin "industry standard" form factor package.
A spin-off from Schneider Electric in 1998, Teem leverages research and development experience going back ten years. Among its achievements are the invention and successful implementation of integrated amplifiers. The company has implemented a highly automated manufacturing process and has been shipping components and modules since 1999.