MetroPhotonics delivers monolithic IC prototype of optical power monitor to tier 1 customers

February 18, 2003--MetroPhotonics, a developer of monolithic photonic integrated circuits (PICs), today announced the completion of prototype evaluation of its optical power monitor to Tier 1 customers.

"MetroPhotonics engaged several key telecom module and system level manufacturers for the evaluation of the SurePath Monitor. These evaluations have been successful and we are now proceeding towards alpha product," said Adrian O'Donnell, chief technology officer at MetroPhotonics (Ottawa, ON).

These devices represent the highest level of monolithic integration in WDM components to date. This single chip solution replaces 91 discrete components (filters and detectors). Fully packaged, the device is approximately 2" by 1" which is orders of magnitude smaller than alternative solutions on the market today.

The engineering prototypes successfully demonstrated the monolithic integration on a single indium phosphide chip of a 40 channel DWDM with a parallel array of 40 discreet photodectectors. MetroPhotonics fabricated the chips using its proprietary VMI technology. The SurePath Monitor product is a 100-GHz optical power monitor that combines novel echelle grating technology with unique waveguide based PIN detectors.

The SurePath Monitor will enable the cost-effective deployment of monitors throughout the network to improve network management and quality of service. It offers a small footprint, low power consumption, and fast response time. This allows the device to be retro-fitted into network elements such as EDFAs, ROADMs, crossconnects, and discrete network nodes. It performs at very high speeds (10 nanosecond range) and in parallel with these network elements, thus providing real-time network management capabilities on a per wavelength basis.