21 May 2013

u2t unveils fastest balanced photodetector with 70GHz 3dB bandwidth

u2t Photonics AG of Berlin, Germany, which makes high-speed indium phosphide-based photodetectors and receivers as well as gallium arsenide-based optical modulators, has unveiled what it claims is the fastest balanced photodetector offering a 3dB bandwidth of 70GHz. The device supports systems for next-generation networks using 400Gb/s or 1Tb/s coherent-detection-based optical transmission.

Picture: u2t’s new BPDV3120R balanced photodetector.

The BPDV3120R complements u2t’s product portfolio of ultra-high-speed photodetectors and receivers. The optical front-end consisting of a monolithic balanced photodetector chip with on-chip biasing has been tested in a system environment and will be used in test and measurement (T&M) equipment, such as optical modulation analyzers, for the test of next-generation coherent network components and modules.

The coaxial single-ended output can detect up to 64GBaud polarization diversity x-QAM signals featuring highly reliable results for common mode rejection ratio, linearity and optical input power. The device can hence be used in next-generation long-haul transmission systems at data rates of 400Gb/s and beyond. The BPDV3120R is also suited to T&M applications as well as ongoing R&D activities at high baud rates.

“While 100G coherent systems are being widely deployed today, we can already see that 400Gbit/s or even 1Tbit/s systems will be required in a few years to support the continued exponential growth of data traffic in mobile and fixed networks,” says CEO Andreas Umbach. “Our 70GHz balanced photodetector provides one of the key building blocks that will enable systems providers to build and deploy systems operating at 400G per wavelength or higher.”

u2t began sampling the BPDV3120R in March and will start production in June.

Tags: u2t photodetectors

Visit: www.u2t.de/en