News

20 March 2009

 

CIP launches hybrid integrated SOA/MZI dual-channel 2R regenerator for 100Gb/s

CIP Technologies of Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, UK has released a new 100Gb/s version of its all-optical 2R (reamplification and reshaping) regenerator for optical networking applications.

Based on its HyBoard hybrid platform, the new device is fabricated from an integrated combination of an array of the firm’s indium phosphide (InP) based high-speed nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA-XN) and planar silica Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). The combination extends the signal regeneration properties of the firm’s hybrid 2R device from data rates of 40Gb/s to 100Gb/s, and retains multi-channel capability.

Measuring just 9cm x 3cm x 1cm (3.5 x 1.2 x 0.4 inch), the 100GXN-2R2-ORP device delivers a compact and practical dual-channel building block for configuring advanced optical networking systems. It may be used for inline 2R regeneration of RZ (return to zero) signals in high-speed, optical network applications. The device’s intrinsic ability to perform additional functions, including wavelength conversion, extends the flexibility for network system developers, the firm claims. Optical logic functions can even be implemented by the combination of components.

The 100GXN-2R2-ORP employs a combination of planar silica and InP component technologies to achieve optimal performance. The two types of component functions used are planar single-mode waveguides with splitter/combiner elements configured to create a balanced MZI, and a monolithically integrated array of four nonlinear SOA-XNs. Hybrid integration, using the best component technologies for each function, ensures low intra-device excess losses and high optical gain, CIP claims.

Special interface characteristics on both component types, combined with a unique precision alignment technique, also allow the 2R regenerator devices to be assembled without active alignment. CIP says that this makes the finished component suited to economic volume production.

The low-loss assembly technique, coupled with the improved performance of the SOA-XN, also allows the device to be switched with lower input optical powers than were possible previously, facilitating simpler high-speed experimentation. CIP can also provide custom versions of the device, including with integrated push-pull time delays and all-optical XOR logic gates.

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