6 March 2012

Oclaro strengthens 40G and 100G coherent portfolio with micro-iTLA and volume production of modulators and receivers

Optical communications and laser component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA has strengthened its 40Gbps and 100Gbps coherent optical portfolio by launching a new micro-iTLA and 40Gbps PM-BPSK (polarization-multiplexed binary phase-shift keying) modulator. The firm has also announced the volume production of its 40Gbps and 100Gbps PM-DPSK (polarization-multiplexed differential phase-shift keying) modulators and its coherent receiver platform.

Oclaro says that, by providing an expansive line of both coherent components and module solutions, it is enabling users to quickly and cost-effectively deliver next-generation network equipment that provides scalable and flexible future-proof architectures. These solutions are on display in booths 1957 & 2058 at  the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition/National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (OFC/NFOEC 2012) in Los Angeles (6-8 March).

Analyst firm Ovum forecasts that 40Gbps and 100Gbps coherent markets will grow from $360m in 2011 to more than $2.1bn in 2015. Oclaro says that coherent detection is widely considered to be the leading technology for enabling higher optical transmission speeds such as 100Gbps because it delivers the scalability and flexibility needed for transmitting more bandwidth cost-efficiently over fiber optic networks. Network equipment manufacturers are hence rapidly embracing this detection format and are installing 40Gbps coherent networks as a stepping stone to 100Gbps or going directly to deploying 100Gbps networks for long-term sustainability, the firm adds.

“PM-QPSK modulators, coherent receivers and narrow-linewidth micro-iTLAs are the complete set of optical components that customers need for deploying high-speed coherent 40Gbps and 100Gbps systems,” says Robert Blum, director of product marketing for the Oclaro Photonic Components business unit. “As a one-stop-shop supplier for all these critical pieces of the network, Oclaro is enabling customers to save a significant amount of development time, ensure the highest level of integration on their line-cards, and deliver the network architecture that service providers need,” he claims.

Complete line of 40G and 100G modulators

At the OFC/NFOEC show, Oclaro is introducing a new 40Gbps PM-BPSK modulator targeted for ultra-long-haul transmission systems such as those used in submarine applications. The new modulator is sampling now, with production scheduled to start in June. Oclaro is also announcing volume production of its 40Gbps and 100Gbps PM-QPSK modulators for coherent applications, reaffirming its commitment to deliver products for all 40Gbps modulation formats (allowing customers to maintain their existing 10Gbps networks while also gaining the flexibility to upgrade to higher-speed coherent networks in the future).

40 and 100G receivers delivering more than 50% reduction in form factor

Oclaro also says that its coherent receiver platform has completed qualification and is entering volume production. The receivers are more than 50% smaller than the 100G footprint defined by the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), while also providing an option to maintain full compliancy with the OIF standard. Oclaro says that the receivers leverage its expertise in indium phosphide (InP) integration, and that they are among the first receivers to package a signal power monitor diode. In the past, users needed to add a discrete monitor photodiode (MPD) onto their line-cards. By integrating this functionality directly into the receiver, users can save valuable line-card space while also lowering costs and reducing development time, Oclaro claims.

New micro-iTLA delivers 3x reduction in size

After already shipping iTLAs in volume into predominantly 10Gbps applications, Oclaro has now developed the micro-iTLA version to address the rapidly growing 40Gbps and 100Gbps coherent markets, delivering the small footprint, optical power, narrow linewidth and low power consumption needed to transmit at higher data rates across the network. The micro-iTLA delivers a 3x reduction in size over standard iTLA products while also meeting the requirements for advanced coherent applications, the firm says.

Oclaro worked with other laser and network equipment manufacturers through the OIF to define a micro-iTLA multi-source agreement (MSA) specification in 2011, defining reductions in footprint and height. Oclaro’s new micro-iTLA also achieves reductions in power consumption, allow users to produce efficient designs in small form factors.

The micro-iTLA leverages Oclaro's tunable transmit optical sub-assembly (TOSA) packaging and solid-state-tuning-based InP DS-DBR (digital supermode-distributed Bragg reflector) chip technologies, of which well over 300,000 tunable lasers have now been deployed. The firm says that its InP capabilities enabling users to reduce their power consumption and space constraints while offering advanced performance. Oclaro’s micro-iTLA is scheduled to ship to key customers in second-quarter 2012.

Tags: Oclaro iTLA Modulators Receivers

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