News

29 October 2009

 

Oclaro launches VCSEL for Intel Light Peak interconnects in computing and consumer electronics

Optical component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA has announced the availability of a new vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) for the rapidly developing Intel Light Peak technology market, which is designed to leverage optical technology to connect electronic devices such as peripherals, workstations, displays, disk drives, and docking stations. Intel’s Light Peak technology is bringing optical technology to the mainstream, and offers Oclaro the opportunity to further expand the applicability of its products into new markets such as computing and consumer electronics devices.

Optical technology promises to overcome the practical limitations on speed and length being approached by existing electrical cable technology in mainstream computing devices. Intel's Light Peak platform is designed to deliver high bandwidth, starting at 10Gb/s (enabling a full-length Blu-Ray movie to be transmitted in less than 30 seconds). The technology has the potential to scale to 100Gb/s over the next decade.

“A core part of Oclaro's strategy is to expand into adjacent markets where we can leverage our optical technology and solutions to deliver value for customers,” says Yves Le Maitre, executive VP & division manager of Oclaro's Advanced Photonics Solutions division. “Oclaro has already ramped very high-volume production of similar VCSEL lasers in another consumer application and, as a result, has the technology and manufacturing scale necessary to effectively serve the Light Peak market,” he adds.

Light Peak consists of a controller chip (from Intel) plus an optical module (containing lasers and photo-detectors) for inclusion in platforms supporting the technology.

Intel’s Light Peak transport technology uses fiber optics instead of copper wires and supports protocols such as USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, PCIe and others. It is designed from the ground up to be inexpensive and small, and supports a wide range of devices (such as handhelds, laptops, PCs and consumer electronics). “Light Peak has high bandwidth and the ability to run multiple I/O protocols over a single cable, enabling the technology to connect to many devices such as displays, disk drives, peripherals and docking stations,” says Jason Ziller, director of Intel’s Optical I/O Program Office.

Intel is working with Oclaro to make Light Peak optical components ready to ship in 2010, he adds.

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