Optical chip and module manufacturers release common specifications for 10-Gbit/sec devices based on the Miniature Device MSA for XFP TOSA and ROSA

June 8, 2004 Tokyo--Eudyna Devices, Mitsubishi Electric, Oki Electric Industry, Opnext, and Sumitomo Electric Industries today announced the release of common specifications for optical devices based on a 10-Gbit/sec Miniature Device Multi-source Agreement (XMD-MSA). The defined specifications are intended for optical devices capable of transmission over a distance of 20 km or more.

The XMD-MSA enables the use of optical devices from multiple suppliers. It has been created to establish compatible sources of 10-Gbit/sec transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) and receiver optical sub-assembly (ROSA) devices embedded into the 10-Gbit/sec XFP MSA module. The XFP module has been designed for use in large capacity network and storage systems. This XMD-MSA covers optical devices that comply with 10-Gbit/sec interface standards such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Fibre Channel and SONET OC-192.

The use of flexible printed circuits absorbs TOSA/ROSA package design differences among suppliers. This results in the same XFP-housing structure and printed circuit board for multi-supplier's TOSA/ROSA.

The newly available XMD-MSA specifications detail the direct-modulation distributed-feedback or Fabry-Perot laser TOSA, and the PIN photodiode - trans-impedance amplifier (PIN-TIA) ROSA. These specifications for interchangeable TOSA/ROSA devices include:

• Mechanical dimensions including optical connector interface that determines the design of the XFP optical head,

• Electrical interface using a flexible printed circuit,

• Optical and electrical characteristics.

The XMD-MSA committee will continue to discuss the specifications for the semiconductor-based external modulator TOSA and avalanche photo-diode trans-impedance amplifier (APD-TIA) ROSA. The specifications are now available from any member of the XMD-MSA.