September 1, 2004 Newark, CA -- LIGHTCONNECT, supplier of dynamic components for optical networks, has announced that its MEMS-based DCE50 (Dynamic Channel Equalizer 50-GHz) has been qualified to strict industry standards.
According to the company, the DCE50 can dynamically control the power or block up to 100 optical channels in one compact module. It eliminates the need for multiple discrete components while offering what LIGHTCONNECT claims is industry leading optical performance in a fully hermetic package.
"Selecting the right channel equalizer and blocker for their ROADM sub-systems is a critical decision for our customers," reports Yves Le Maitre, chief executive officer of LIGHTCONNECT. "They have recognized for some time that MEMS products provide superior optical performance at a lower cost, and with the completion of this demanding qualification program, it is now clear that MEMS-based components are also best-in-class when it comes to reliability," he says.
The tests employed for qualification were based on input from Tier 1 OEMs and follow the guidelines set forth by Telcordia. They included stress tests over temperature, damp heat and atmospheric pressure, as well as several newly developed tests that measure real-time optical performance during large amplitude shock and vibration. "For the first time a MEMS-based DCE has been subjected to a set of tests that were specifically designed to simulate the worst real-life operating conditions expected in the field and our product passed with flying colors," maintains Asif Godil, chief technology officer of LIGHTCONNECT.
"We were the first to bring a Telcordia certified MEMS-based variable optical attenuator and dynamic gain equalizer to the market, and with the addition of the dynamic channel equalizer to this list, LIGHTCONNECT now has a complete line of qualified MEMS-based dynamic optical components," adds Le Maitre.
To learn more about LIGHTCONNECT's full line of products, visit the company at ECOC, September 5-9, 2004, in Booth #269.