8 August 2012

Kotura launches SFP-VOA integrating optical power monitor function

Kotura Inc of Monterey Park, CA, USA, which designs and makes silicon photonics application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for the communications, computing, sensing and detection markets, has launched a new Ultra Variable Optical Attenuator module in a pluggable small form package (SFP-VOA). The new product integrates an optical power monitor function to provide feedback to the Ultra VOA in a control loop design.

The Ultra VOAs have response times of typically less than 1 microsecond. The high-speed performance enables functions such as signal modulation, transient suppression and fast power control in wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) agile networks. Kotura adds that its VOAs have no moving parts and have logged more than 1 billion device hours in optical networks around the world.

“Customers like the option of an industry-standard pluggable package,” notes VP of product marketing Xavier Clairardin. “Our Ultra VOAs are already among the most widely used in the industry,” he claims. “The 20-pin SFP package means that designers can better utilize board space by moving the attenuation function to the front panel. Our new product meets the growing trend towards pluggable optics in telecommunications equipment designs.”

The SFP-VOA has lead times of 8-10 weeks for quantities of up to 100. The product works over the entire C-band range of 1525-1570nm and supports an attenuation range of zero to 25dB. The module implements the control loop and feedback circuit using a 5% tap and photodetector.

Tags: Kotura Silicon photonics

Visit: www.kotura.com