Advanced Optical MEMS Inc. (AOMEMS) has introduced a new product, the 8 X 8-4 Optical Switch, which it claims features the reliability of electro mechanical switches and the precision of MEMS technology.
According to the company, the 8x8-4 optical switch offers the advantages of low cost, repeatability, low insertion loss, and excellent channel uniformity. The switch has eight channels in each of the four planes to serve as input, output, add, and drop channels. It can be configured as a protection switch or an optical add/drop module (OADM). Switch time is less than 2 ms when used as a protection switch, and it is equivalent to a 16 X 16 switch when used in an OADM configuration. Because the switch is latched in both on and off position, switch state can be provided as a feedback signal, which is important in network management.
AOMEMS has developed several alignment algorithms and in-process inspection methods to reduce the labor time and improve the production yield. The company asserts that its switches will have the right price to penetrate the metro environment.
AOMEMS (Lake Forest, CA) is a startup in developing optical components and modules for telecommunications. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.aomems.net.