Alcatel Optronics, JDS Uniphase, and Kamelian sign multi-source agreement on Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

Alcatel Optronics, JDS Uniphase Corp., and Kamelian Ltd. have announced a multi-source agreement (MSA) for Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs), defining common mechanical and optical performance specifications. According to the companies, this MSA will benefit system manufacturers by giving them the confidence to take advantage of cost-effective SOAs in their systems, knowing they are working with a standard design.

SOAs can be deployed in a wide variety of applications in metro and long haul networks, including amplification, regeneration, wavelength conversion, and switching. The mechanical interface, covered by the MSA, uses the same configuration for pin functions as industry standard pump lasers, which will enable system manufacturers to more easily incorporate SOAs into their systems. Other mechanical factors described by the standard include hole position and module overall dimensions.

"Alcatel Optronics is pleased to join with our partners in this MSA to provide customers with a powerful standard product for the evolution of the all optical network," contends Philippe Bregi, chief operating officer of Alcatel Optronics. "We believe that SOAs will be the winning solution for multiple applications ranging from regeneration to switching for terminals and photonic nodes."

"SOAs offer a broad range of functionality within a number of system applications," agrees Fred Leonberger, chief technology officer of JDS Uniphase. "We believe that this new standard will significantly speed up the acceptance and deployment of SOAs throughout new optical systems."

The standard also defines minimal levels of optical performance required for pre-amplification and booster applications. For each application, a different class of SOA has been defined. For pre-amplification applications, Class A SOAs will have a noise figure of less than 9 dB, gain greater than 20 dB and minimum output power of 5 dBm. For booster applications, Class B SOAs will have a noise figure of less than 12 dB, gain greater than 15 dB, and minimum output power of 8 dBm.

For more information about Alcatel Optronics (Paris), visit the company's Web site at www.alcatel.com/optronics.

Further details about JDS Uniphase (San Jose) can be found on its Web site at www.jdsu.com.

More information on Kamelian is available at www.kamelian.com.