Alcatel Optronics launches remote-controlled narrowband booster and pre-amplifier
March 17, 2003--Alcatel Optronics (Paris), is introducing the smallest remote-controlled narrowband booster and pre-amplifier available on the market, according to the company. A standardized electronics interface enables the new 1906 OAE and 1907 OAE erbium-doped fiber amplifiers to interconnect with other devices, allowing remote configuration and monitoring. Designed and optimized for 2.5-Gbit/sec and 10-Gbit/sec metropolitan optical systems, these compact amplifiers are offered in cooled and uncooled versions. The new amplifiers provide more flexibility for system control and implementation while reducing footprint, maintenance and operating costs.
To improve the management of optical telecommunication systems and optimize their total cost of ownership, it is important for devices to have the ability to communicate together. As such, the industry standard I2C interface bus is integrated into the compact optical amplifiers. Each device has a unique address allowing the amplifiers to be remotely controlled. This permits two-way network management control, offers remote equipment status, integrates diagnostics and data, and reduces on-site intervention.
The compact optical amplifiers also offer special fiber routing guides on top of the package, improving the installation to the system board.
"Today, we demonstrate another step in our optoelectronic integration strategy by adding the remote control functionality to compact amplifiers," says Philippe Bregi, chief operating officer of Alcatel Optronics. "This offers intelligence in signal processing and management, interoperability and system configuration flexibility. Our customers are demanding such intelligent products."
The 1906 OAE and 1907 OAE are narrowband EDFAs with embedded electronics. The devices operate with very low power consumption. In a compact package of 90x70x13 mm³, the amplifiers integrate electronics and offer an RS-232 interface or a 12C interface bus. This allows the customer to monitor and adjust key parameters such as power, gain, and pump current without on-site intervention. The uncooled version of tthe 1906 OAE booster amplifier offers up to +15 dBm output power and its cooled version up to +17 dBm output power. The cooled and uncooled versions of the 1907 OAE pre-amplifier offer a high gain of 30 dB. In addition these booster and pre-amplifiers offer a choice between automatic power control or automatic gain control modes.