18 March 2015

Oclaro samples dual micro-ITLA, cutting footprint by 25% and power dissipation by 1W for 200G/400G coherent links

Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which provides components, modules and subsystems for optical communications) is sampling a new dual micro-ITLA (integrable tunable laser assembly) featuring a 25% reduction in size and 1 Watt lower power consumption compared to two discrete micro-ITLAs.

Users will now have the flexibility of either employing a separate laser for transmit and local oscillator for 100G/200G deployments or benefitting from the high output power of the dual micro-ITLA in dual-carrier applications for next-generation 200G/400G coherent links. This will enable significant savings in board space on line-cards, which require components that provide high density and low power dissipation.

"Oclaro is now delivering the critical connectivity solutions for 200G and 400G networks needed to meet the world's growing demand for more bandwidth," says Richard Craig, president of Oclaro's Integrated Photonics Business. "Many of our customers are already completing 400G trials, and Oclaro components will be there with the performance, power and size requirements needed to accelerate the deployment of these next-generation networks," he adds.

The dual micro-ITLA features Oclaro's DS-DBR (digital supermode distributed Bragg reflector) wideband tunable laser technology, which is based on a fully monolithic indium phosphide (InP) chip designed for high-volume and low-cost manufacturing. With no moving parts, the dual micro-ITLA is a low-voltage, electronically tuned device that can enable rapid wavelength switching. The new product is suitable for 200G and 400G coherent applications because its small footprint and reduced power consumption enable users to design higher densities into their systems, says Oclaro. 

Key features of the dual micro-ITLA include the following:

• full C-band dual-laser tunable source (1529-1568nm);

• high power: +15.5dBm nominal EOL (end-of-life) and variable output power range of 8dB;

• 0.1GHz minimum channel grid spacing and electronic shutter for dark tuning; 

• low power dissipation, 8W (EOL); and 

• narrow line-width, 400kHz maximum, excellent side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) > 40dB, and low RIN (relative intensity noise).

The dual micro-ITLA is sampling now. Oclaro expects to begin ramping up volume production in April.

See related items:

Oclaro releases narrow-linewidth micro-iTLA to volume production

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

Tags: Oclaro iTLA

Visit: www.oclaro.com