LIGHTCONNECT introduces MEMS-based digital variable optical attenuator optimized for open-loop control

LIGHTCONNECT Inc. (Newark, CA) has introduced a digital variable optical attenuator (VOA) to meet the needs of both the high-growth metro transport and switching market and the high-performance long-haul market.

The DVOA2201 offers precise digital control of attenuation, enabling the customer to dynamically change attenuation via a standard serial interface, while requiring only a 5 V power supply, claims the company. Precise open-loop control eliminates the need, space, and cost of optical taps and detectors. It also eliminates the need for calibration at the customer's site. The device is designed to be insensitive to temperature variation.

The optical performance parameters are similar to the existing LIGHTCONNECT FVOA2001:

Insertion loss--0.8 dB typical

Polarization Dependent Loss--0.10 dB at 10 dB typical

WDL (Spectral Flatness)--0.17 at 10 dB typical

Fast Speed--<100 microseconds

"In response to our customers in the metro market who want to minimize their time-to-market and their engineering dollars, we've made our new Digital VOA as simple to use as possible," contends Yves LeMaitre, vice president of marketing at LIGHTCONNECT.

The DVOA2201 is the latest in the VOA family from LIGHTCONNECT whose first product was introduced last July. That device is the first MEMS-based VOA to pass the stringent Telcordia 1221 testing requirements, say company representatives. All LIGHTCONNECT VOAs are housed in transistor-like hermetically sealed packages and are not susceptible to vibration.

The DVOA2201 is available now in sample quantities. Production volumes will be available in the first quarter of 2002.

LIGHTCONNECT Inc. designs and manufactures dynamic MEMS-based, fiber-optic components for next-generation intelligent optical networks. For more information, visit www.lightconnect.com.