II-VI offers burst-mode gain-controlled optical amplifier prototypes for NG-PON2

Optical components and subsystems developer II‐VI Inc. (NASDAQ:IIVI) says it can now make available prototypes of a burst-mode gain-controlled optical amplifier for upstream transmission in NG-PON2 fiber-optic broadband networks.

Many operators are looking at NG-PON2 as the next step beyond GPON for high-capacity PONs. The architecture leverages time and wavelength division multiplexing (TWDM) to support four symmetrical 10-Gbps PONs on the same fiber, although one can expect the number of PONs per fiber to grow in the future (see "The Bright Future of TWDM-PON and Wavelength Unbundling"). The ITU-T recently announced new specifications related to NG-PON2, and II-VI expects a near-term need for upstream optical amplifiers.

II-VI says its new optical amplifier leverages a novel gain-control technique that adapts instantaneously to rapid changes in received optical signal levels. Such changes could occur as subscribers take turns communicating upstream from various distances, the company explains.

"This new technology showcases our ability to leverage our core expertise and deliver application-specific optical amplifier solutions," said Dr. Sanjai Parthasarathi, vice president, product marketing and strategy, Optical Communications Group. "We designed an optical amplifier to match the requirements of TWDM-PON upstream transmission and enable service providers to increase bandwidth to their subscribers over their existing passive optical network infrastructure."

II-VI says the burst-mode gain-controlled optical amplifiers have completed customer laboratory trials. It is now making prototype units available for evaluation.

The company did not announce when it expects to make the amplifiers commercially available.

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