GigOptix intros low-power SMART optical subassemblies/Finisar demonstrates ROADM, transmission advances at ECOC
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 — GigOptix Inc. (OTCBB:GGOX) has unveiled a pair of ultra-low-power multirate SMART Optical Sub-Assemblies (OSAs) targeting 2-to 14-Gbps short reach datacom applications. The SMART Receive OSA (HXR2101A) and Transmit OSA (HXT2101A) are based on a new generation of GigOptix VCSEL driver and transimpedance amplifier/limiting amplifier (TIA/LA) chips.
GigOptix has combined RF analog circuit techniques that reduce power consumption with integrated on-chip analog-to-digital convertors (ADCs) and digital-to-analog convertors (DAC) to enable a fully digitally controlled TOSA and ROSA. This architecture significantly simplifies the design of an optical transceiver such as an SFP+ by eliminating all analog and RF circuits from the PCB, GigOptix asserts. The elimination of RF analog interfaces improves performance and reduces both power consumption and EMI within the transceiver, the company adds. The new architecture also should reduce costs while also reducing the engineering effort associated with developing transmit/receive designs.
“We are excited to introduce this new product family of OSA products for short reach applications,” stated Dr. Jorg Wieland, vice president and general manager of GigOptix-Helix, Zurich. “The devices were designed for lead customers seeking a very energy-efficient data link. Our OSAs enable pluggable solutions running at less than 200 mW, and intra-system links at less than 120 mW. The SMART OSAs were also designed to be very easy to use. The integrated digital I2C control simplifies the engineering of an optical transceiver and reduces the components needed to only a microcontroller and our SMART ROSA and TOSA. We anticipate that this will be a substantial cost saving for transceiver manufacturers. Also, we see the potential for SMART OSA’s to be used in consumer, industrial, and avionics applications since these devices will simplify the implementation high speed links within a system and are more robust than 10G copper.”
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.
