NeoPhotonics has introduced its multicast switch based on photonic integrated circuit (PIT) for future-generation reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) applications.
The multicast switch in a dual 8x16 configuration provides 16 drop and add ports and accommodates up to 8 directions. Its capabilities allow it to support designs demanding 8x12 or 8x24 configurations and offer the integrated power monitoring option for every port.
The NeoPhotonics PIC platform is designed to develop existing ROADM technology to allow next-generation colorless, directionless and contentionless (CDC) networks. For instance, the NeoPhotonics multicast switch in a CDC network can be integrated with a wavelength selective switch, which jointly are engineered to lead any wavelength towards any port (colorless), allow input wavelength channels from several directions (directionless), and drop two similar wavelengths from various directions via the same switch (contentionless). This switching adaptability is designed to enhance flexibility and efficiency of telecommunications networks, while decreasing overall deployment expenditures.
NeoPhotonics is a specialist in designing and manufacturing PIC-based modules and subsystems for use in bandwidth-intensive, high-speed communications networks. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Jenks stated that the company is happy to introduce its multicast switch for highly flexible and efficient ROADM applications.
The new multicast switch is the company’s other product that gets benefited from its photonic integration technology by coupling over 200 optical components, and is a result of the company’s expertise in designing and manufacturing more intricate photonic integrated circuits, Jenks concluded. The company is displaying its multicast switch and its latest PIC technology at the OFC/NFOEC Conference and Exposition being conducted at the Los Angeles Convention Center from March 6 to 8, 2012.