Sep 22 2008
JDSU(R) today announced that it has created several new features that will be a critical part of its new photonic integrated amplifier (PIA) platform that was also announced today. These technologies will contribute to the decreased size, improved cost savings, increased performance and reconfigurability of the new amplifier platform that will re-energize weakened network signals traveling long distances over dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) networks.
"Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs) have been asking for more flexible, low cost and higher performing solutions to optimize their networks," said Jy Bhardwaj, vice president and general manager of the Optical Communications business segment at JDSU. "In order for us to do that we've had to break down traditional ways of building amplifiers that have resulted in these six new technology breakthroughs that are critical to the creation of the JDSU PIA platform."
New JDSU features within the PIA platform that will contribute to performance levels not available in existing optical amplifier solutions will include:
- Optical isolator. Exclusively designed for the PIA platform, JDSU has created a new isolator component that will reduce the number of discrete isolator components from as many as six down to a single component. Isolators are important discrete components that prevent light signals from reflecting back within an optical amplifier, potentially causing damage or disturbing the quality of transmission signals in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks.
- In order to achieve high performance with the isolator, JDSU will edge mount its new isolator solution onto the Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) chip within the PIA platform so that it can function seamlessly with the integrated optical amplifier elements on the chip. This will improve performance as light signals will no longer need to travel on and off of the chip through separate and discrete isolators, subsequently weakening the transmission signal's strength.
- Waveguide capability. JDSU has also developed and demonstrated new waveguide technology that will simplify the routing, splitting and recombining of light signals within the new PIA platform. Together with the new isolator design, the two innovations will provide a leading light management capability not previously available in optical amplifiers.
- The waveguide technology will allow both 980 nanometer (nm) and 1550 nm wavelengths of light to combine and travel through a single planar lightwave circuit (PLC) chip within the PIA platform. This will remove a range of fibered bulk components typically required to manage light signals within an amplifier and will replace it with a single PLC chip.
- Photo detector arrays. JDSU's high performance photo detector arrays will reduce the number typically needed from up to 9 discrete devices down to a single array. Photo detector arrays monitor feedback loops to control each part of the amplifier and also provide alarm functionality.
- Variable pump splitter. Provides improved noise performance over a wider dynamic range by allowing a single amplifier to be tuned to accommodate both low and high input applications, greatly improving the noise figure at low input conditions.
- Tunable gain flattening filter. When used with an optical channel monitor, it can actively compensate for common system link impairments, such as unequal channel power levels caused by transmission fiber and by other components. This allows the amplifier to provide output with consistent power levels for each channel amplified.
- Tilt filter. Provides more predictability in amplifier performance with an active tilt adjustment when a channel load or total signal power changes. It is more linear than current solutions and more closely matches typical network characteristics.
The JDSU PIA platform will be displayed at JDSU Booth #233 in Hall 7 of the Brussels Expo Centre during the 2008 European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communications (ECOC) in Brussels, Belgium from September 22-24, 2008. The PIA platform is currently being sampled with customers and will be available in 2009.
The Importance of Optical Amplifiers
Optical amplifiers are critical elements that re-energize weakened network signals traveling long distances over optical communications systems. As the use of voice, video and data applications continues to grow and drive higher network traffic levels, Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs) and service providers are under constant pressure to continue improving their networks to support bandwidth demands in a cost-effective and space efficient way.