Finisar demonstrates ROADM, transmission advances at ECOC/Leviton adds Mini LC Connector to fiber cable assemblies make-to-order program

SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 — Finisar Corp. is demonstrating several new technologies and products at the European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communications (ECOC) in Torino, Italy, including its new Flexgrid technology for next-generation ROADMs, a Board Mounted Optical Engine operating at 240 Gb/s, and a SONET/SDH SFP+ transceiver for telecom networks.

Flexgrid is being demonstrated for the first time as a software capability of the new WaveManager Application Suite, part of the WaveShaper family of Programmable Optical Processors. Introduced earlier this month, Flexgrid enables control of channel center frequency and channel bandwidth within a WSS, from 50 GHz to 200 GHz in 12.5 GHz steps. It is specifically designed for bandwidth-efficiency, as carriers move to higher data rates in next-generation telecommunication networks, says a company representative.

“Verizon looks forward to Finisar’s next-generation flexible grid WSS product and we anticipate working with them as system suppliers integrate this type of technology into future line systems,” says Glenn Wellbrock, director of Backbone Network Design at Verizon.

Being shown for the first time is Finisar’s Board Mounted Optical Engine technology. As data rates on backplanes, intra-chassis, intra-board, and chip-to-chip interconnects increase, the limitations of copper exacerbate the challenges faced by systems engineers and architects. Board Mounted Optical Engines represent the next generation for optical technology and enable breakthroughs in data rate, power, and density for next-generation servers, routers, and high-performance computing (HPC) systems, adds a representative.

SEPTEMBER 26 2010 — Leviton has added the Mini LC Connector to the company’s make-to-order (MTO) program. The new connectors, which can be configured with any Leviton patch cord, trunk, or harness, are designed to work with Brocade’s FC8-64 High Density 64-port Fibre Channel blade.

Mini LC connectors are compatible with the small footprint mini SFP (mSFP) ports developed by Brocade and its partners to enable high-density port configurations that minimize physical footprint without compromising performance. Cable assemblies with Mini LC Connectors enable connection between two FC8-64 blade ports, between one FC8-64 and other active equipment or patch panels, or between an MPO/MTP module and multiple mSFP ports.

Leviton’s MTO program enables customers to custom configure fiber cable assemblies, as well as fiber enclosures, MTP modules, copper trunks, and rack power distribution units (PDUs), to their specifications. Cable assembly configuration options include fiber type and count; cable type and length; first and second end termination type; breakout length and alignment; polarity; and pulling eye.