CeBIT 2002 preview

For CeBIT 2002 in Hanover, March 12-20, "Telecommunications & Networks" has expanded to become the largest sector, occupying Halls 13-16 and the new Hall 27. We preview selected exhibits below.

Transparent networking
At CeBIT, the Information and Communication Networks group of Siemens' Information and Communication (hall 27, booth C32) is focusing on the "Surpass" and "HiPath" product families for next-generation broadband access and optical transport networks - an Internet Protocol-based convergence technology for carriers, and for corporate customers, respectively.

The TransXpress product family for backbone, metro and edge of the carrier networks offers intelligent networking functionality and centralised management, smooth migration from SDH/SONET to DWDM networks, and upgradability. TransXpress supports the introduction of transparent optical networking, featuring NextGen SDH/SONET, multi-service DWDM and Optical IP.

The multi-service metro power solution (for IP, Ethernet, SDH, and DWDM) - administered uniformly via the Telecommunication Network Management System (TNMS) - is a combination of TDM and DWDM multiplexers for use in the network layer of metro and regional networks. This enables transmission of voice and SAN services at up to 10Gbit/s over a single platform and integration of IP-based services.

In version 7, the TNMS management software, which can be integrated in multi-vendor environments via the Open Corba interface, now allows new network element types and versions to be controlled simply through TNMS upgrade packages.

Dual GbE transponder for multi-dimension scalability
Lumentis (hall 27, booth F38) is adding a one-slot Dual GbE Transponder to its Mentis Metro DWDM platform - part of its Multi Dimensional Scalability concept for scaling simple, static networks to advanced, multi-layered and dynamic networks with network management.

By aggregating two GigE signals on a single wavelength, higher utilisation of wavelengths for router traffic can save up to 50% on the entry cost, prolong the lifetime of installed equipment, and reduce point of failures and maintenance/installation of additional amplifiers. A second channel eliminates the provisioning of another wavelength.

Features include:

• QoS monitoring (providing performance monitoring from end-to-end on each Gigabit Ethernet signal throughout the network);
• hot-swappable interfaces which have a small form factor and are pluggable so that each GbE interface can be individually configured live for 800 or 1300-1510nm signals.

Multi-service access
Iamba Networks (hall 13, booth A20) is unveiling its Axelent platform for multi-service optical access, which delivers optimally packaged, QoS-enabled services but protecting legacy investments.

Characterisation tools
NetTest (CeBIT hall 13) is exhibiting:

• TUNICS-Evolution, which integrates two optical power meters and a sweeping ASE-free tuneable laser, for operation either in sweeping mode (e.g. during final testing) or at fixed wavelength (for in-process alignment) to characterise passive optical components (e.g DWDM narrow-band filters). E-, S-, C- and L-band models have ±3pm wavelength accuracy and ±0.05dB accuracy.
• WALICS-Reference, for analysis of DWDM channels and harmonics up to 40Gbit/s (optimised for S, C, L bands and monitoring wavelengths). Narrow spectral response enables SNR measurements to 12.5GHz spacing. Can be used to extract a channel for additional testing (e.g. BERT).
• TUNICS-Reference, a tunable laser with 150nm tuning range across bands from 1390-1640nm, optical power >10dBm (essential when characterising optical amplifiers and WDM systems), and both sweeping and step-by-step modes. A ±5pm wavelength accuracy and automated built-in recalibration avoid the need for an external wavelength meter.
  www.nettest.com

Fibre cleaver
Fujikura's CT-20 high-precision fibre cleaver, which supersedes the CT-07, is a rugged, self-contained unit designed for single- and multi-mode 125µm fibres and suitable for coating diameters and cleave lengths of 10-20µm and 6-20µm, respectively.

It offers 48,000 cleaves per blade (cleave counter optional). A fibre scrap collector box improves safety. The mirror-finished cleaved end-face is typically 0.5° from perpendicular and needs no further preparation for fusion splicing or termination.
www.fujikura.co.uk

Fibre cleaver mount
Tritec Developments has launched a mounting bracket for its new TC A8 Optical Fibre Cleaver, designed to produce fast, high-quality cleaves for cost-effective fusion splicing, to be mounted at an ergonomic angle at the front of its FASE II fusion splicer (allowing "hands free" operation).

It produces smooth, flat, perpendicular (<1°) fibre end-faces - essential in low-loss fusion splicing. All single- and multi-mode, 250 and 900µm coated fibres can be cleaved without adjustment in one stroke. A compact design enables portability.
www.tritec-dev.com

New fibre manufacturing process
Liekki Oy says its patented Direct Nanoparticle Deposition (DND) process is the first new preform deposition method since the 1970s, when MCVD, OVD and VAD were introduced. The glass is doped in-situ via soot particle nucleation, ensuring that glass particles have a homogeneous composition before processing.

The scalable process is carried out in single phase, which overcomes the problems in existing doping processes, allowing accurate control of the refractive index profile and dopant concentrations in the fibre core.

DND increases erbium concentration without pair-induced quenching or pump-excited absorption, shortening fibres in amplifiers to just 2-6m for power amplifiers for WDM and booster applications).

• The new LF1202 Er-doped fibre is optimised for C-band (1530-1565nm) WDM, power and booster amplifier applications. Peak performance is at 980nm using a power of >50mW and fibre length of 3-5m.

By using an air-filled cladding region, the fibres confine light to extremely small mode field areas. Also, the zero dispersion wavelength is shifted to the pump wavelength, improving nonlinear effects such as self-phase modulation, soliton propagation and four-wave mixing.

Another key launch is extremely high numerical aperture (NA) fibre. By using air as the medium surrounding a fibre core to obtain the ultimate difference in refractive index, its newest acrylate-coated silica fibre achieves NA values in excess of 0.9.

The multi-mode fibres are extremely efficient for any type of light collection and wide angular distribution and are used for pigtailing of broad-area multi-mode pumps and for lighting purposes.
www.crystal-fibre.com

Research has shown gain of >20dB at 1450-1485nm with a noise figure of <5.5dB. INO is trying to extend the amplification over the entire band, including 1485-1500nm. Average power levels are better than -20dBm/nm from 1450-1500nm.

"The fact that the amplification in the S-band is provided by butterfly-packaged diodes is innovative and imperative to keeping costs down and reducing the size of the optical components as the communication bandwidth explores new transmission wavelengths," says Jocelyn Lauzon, director of the Photonic and Guided-Wave Optics Sector.
www.ino.ca

Customised aspherical collimator lens arrays
Anteryon B.V. (formerly Philips Optics) has demonstrated what it claims is the world's first high-performance aspherical collimator lens array. It includes customised lens diameters and pitches in the micron to millimetre range with accuracies finer than 2µm (non-cumulative) over a 25mm range.

This glass replica lens technology can now be combined with experience gained in high-precision glass machining and active alignment technology to offer tailor-made multi-channel fibre-optic collimator assemblies. First samples of assembled lens arrays to fibre arrays show "promising results", claims Anteryon.

Unique (back) focal length control, combined with high pointing accuracy and low insertion loss, can translate functional customer requirements into high-performance building block solutions which are easy to assemble and interfaced by standard low-loss connectors.

More than 99% of the whole collimator array components can consist of the same glass, ensuring good stability with temperature and humidity.

In response to the need for short development cycles. Anteryon says that it can ship customised prototypes within six weeks.
www.anteryon.com

Digital matrix chip surpasses current bandwidth limits
Alcatel has launched a digital matrix chip to enhance its backbone and metro optical systems (TDM or DWDM) and boost Alcatel systems' capabilities by independently "crossing" and "connecting" different traffic flows from any input ports to any outputs.

Its adoption extends the existing limitation of bandwidth in the optical domain where cross-connects with relatively low-capacity electrical matrixes have been employed until now. Alcatel's new generation transport systems will fill the gap between current standard solutions based on 155Mbit/s switching and the all-optical high-capacity solutions of tomorrow.

The chip's 33 input and 33 output ports support up to 12.5Gbit/s per port - without breaking them into 155Mbit/s wavelengths - thus it gives total capacity of more than 410Gbit/s. Different devices can be combined to build larger matrixes for a variety of optical networking systems with throughputs in the multi-terabibit/s range. Its compact size, 13x13mm² , enables significant capital and operational costs savings by reducing footprint and power demand.

Alcatel's systems will also use the chip's on-board features for control, testing and supervision to give operators superior network quality and reliability. Furthermore, increased protection and restoration mechanisms will help carriers' networks to efficiently accommodate proper traffic transmission flow.
www.alcatel.com

CWDM integrated mux/demux
Stratos Lightwave company Tsunami has announced an 8-channel CWDM integrated multiplexer/demultiplexer module, consisting of both an 8-channel multiplexer and an 8-channel demultiplexer in a 112mm x 80mm x 10mm package, with an insertion loss of less than 1dB and high channel isolation.

The module is designed for integration into CWDM architectures that use uncooled lasers with 20nm wavelength separation and single-mode fibre - independent of data rate and protocol.

Tunable laser enables efficient filter deposition
Exfo's FLS-2600B tunable laser, distributed by AMS Technologies, Munich, Germany, is intended for integration into Leybold Optics' new OMS4000 optical monitoring system for process control in vacuum coating chambers.

On-line monitoring systems for filters generally measure the growth rate and film thickness using tungsten lamps and monochromators, but the latter is now obsolete due to the bandwidth of the emitted light. The light source has a MTBF of about 18,000 hours. It offers several orders of magnitude higher spectral power density. Higher signal-to-noise ratio increases process control accuracy, yield and quality.

Based completely on fibre-optic components, the laser-monitor is virtually maintenance-free and vibration-insensitive, so can be used in close proximity to vacuum pumps.
www.ams-technologies.com

Muxponder integrates 10 transponder functions
Lumentis AB has announced the launch of its Muxponder, the latest development in the company's Mentis 300 and Mentis 3000 metro solutions. The Muxponder fits on a single board intended for deployment in a single slot, which Lumentis says will cut network equipment costs by a factor of five while carrying multiple channels on a single wavelength. This allows carriers and network operators to aggregate channels cost effectively and transport SDH/SONET traffic in a metro network. It frees up wavelengths for new services and eliminates the need for costly SDH/SONET multiplexing equipment and multiple transponders.

850nm single-mode VCSELs
Avalon Photonics, which supplies short-wavelength 759-766, 790-794, and 850-855nm VCSELs for absorption spectroscopy, has launched a new 850nm single-mode VCSEL for telecoms applications. It will be available in a TO46 package and various single-mode connector versions combining fundamental longitudinal and transversal mode operation with a wide mode-hop free operation range.

The active region is just one wavelength thick, ensuring that only one axial mode is supported in the cavity. The VCSEL therefore operates in the fundamental longitudinal mode, ensuring good coupling into single-mode fibres for "last mile" access applications.

Avalon Photonics is targeting multi-gigabit VCSELs and VCSEL arrays for serial and parallel fibre interconnects through innovative packaging and wafer-level product development.

Available from distributor Laser Components and packaged in a TO46, or TO510 with peltier and thermistor elements for temperature control. Avalon Photonics was part of CSEM until 2000.
www.avalon-photonics.com

Auto adhesive dispenser
EFD's microprocessor-based 1500XL dispenser applies UV-cure adhesives and epoxies for bonding lenses, connectors and other photonics/fibre-optic components with greater accuracy than manual applicators, increasing yield and component quality.

Microprocessor circuitry controls automatically the amount of adhesive applied. A "teach" function makes it simple to determine the correct amount of material for a specific application. Email [email protected]

Compact 10Gbit/s optical receiver
The DSC-R601 2R optical receiver from AMS Technologies incorporates receive and regenerate (2R) functions in a pig-tailed 8-pin butterfly package. The receiver provides a type K coaxial RF output and has a single-ended limiting amplifier providing a constant ~300mVpp to following stages with optical input powers from -20 to 0dBm.

Advanced filters
Advanced Technology Coatings (ATC) has developed a range of optical filters configurable to many specifications. Manufacture is by plasma-assisted electron beam deposition on a special coating system to maximise throughput and yield. Filters can be cut to any size using ATC's precision dicing.

Features of the new filters include: plasma assisted deposition for thermal and environmental stability; low insertion loss, typically less than 0.5dB; and they are temperature stable meaning extended operational lifetime.

The manufacturer employs techniques to control film stress minimises filter distortion and control of bandpass shape and ripple minimises WDL. ATC's product range includes: 100GHz and 200GHz DWDM filters; gain flattening filters; CWDM filters; and WDM filters.
E-mail: [email protected]

Optical power meter for 850-1700nm
The X910 meter from Gigahertz-Optik measures the output power of bare or connected fibres, lasers, LEDs and other light sources.

A 30mm diameter integrating sphere allows easy alignment for accurate total flux measurements without back reflection on to its indium gallium arsenide PTD detector. Calibration and certification to international standards from 850-1700nm in 10nm increments is provided.

Gigahertz-Optik designs and manufactures innovative UV-vis-NIR optical radiation metrology instrumentation for industrial and research applications. It offers a complete range of mobile hand-held units, lab-based systems, calibration standards and photonics components such as OP.DI.MA, a highly reflective and stable Optically Diffuse Material.
www.gigahertz-optik.com

Photonics positioner and switches
Atos has launched the Coralign Photonics Positioner from Luminos Industries, for uses including fibre and connector alignment, and collimating lens alignment to waveguide alignment. (An automated alignment system is pending.) Accessories include focusing optics heads, bare fibre, ferrule and connector holders, and a contact sensing system.

The I6000 6-axis positioner features an xyz in-line design for high space efficiency and a z-axis stage with true linear motion from the patented Flexure configuration, with freedom from hysteresis. Travel is 12.7mm with 0.5µm resolution. Coarse/ultra-fine adjustment on x and y with 1.02mm coarse and 250µm fine travel with 10nm resolution. Touch insensitive adjustment with less than 0.01dB change when aligning SM 9/125 fibre 3 rotational axes of control: pitch, with concurrent centre of rotation.

• Coralign fibre-optic switches, available as 1x2, 2x2 and dual 1x2 configurations, are based on the direct movement of axially aligned fibres. The ability to mass produce components void of collimating lenses, mirrors and the need for alignment fixtures is the key to delivering competitively priced quality products. The high accuracies that are required for single-mode fibre are easily achieved with the use of the patented "precision deflection structure". The new low-loss version incorporates an optical matching fluid, giving typical losses of 0.25dB for single-mode fibre (the lowest in the industry). It also features low back reflection (60dB typical) and high repeatability (0.01dB max).

Bulk diffraction grating technology
APA Optics (OFC booth 3839) has patented bulk diffraction grating technology which provides high channel counts, narrow channel spacing and low insertion loss. Intended for use in a passive athermal architecture, it offers reduced power consumption and increased bandwidth.

The combination of bulk diffraction grating and passive waveguide technology boosts high optical performance in a small footprint without active temperature control. Components combine the passive athermal capability of free-space optics, chromatic resolving power of diffraction gratings, and the design flexibility and potential for integration of components such as VOAs and switches associated with passive planar waveguides.

The design centres on a high-frequency grating and incorporates a polarisation-conditioning component that addresses the polarisation sensitivity of a high-frequency grating. The platform-based design allows customisation of the passband of the diffraction grating based components and is available with flat-top passband in addition to a Gaussian passband.
www.apaoptics.com

2nd-order PMD measurement for 40Gbit/s and beyond
Exfo has added a new capability to its FPMD-5600 Femtosecond Polarisation Mode Dispersion analyser, which enables easy measurement of second-order PMD in devices such as narrowband DWDM channels and broadband components. Exfo believes this environment increasingly challenging as network data rates climb to 40Gbit/s and beyond.

Second-order PMD is related to the variations of the principal state of polarisation (PSP) as a function of wavelength. "PMD is one of the biggest obstacles facing the deployment of 40Gbit/s systems," said Exfo's Mario Larose.

The Quebec, Canada, based company has also introduced a new polarisation maintaining (PM) fibre output option on its IQS-2600B, IQ-2600B and FLS-2600B C+L-band tuneable laser sources.

Whether for the characterisation of PM passive components or components sensitive to the input state of polarisation (SOP), such as arrayed waveguides or wavelength lockers, the PM option ensures an extinction ratio >18dB and a known polarisation state at the source output.
www.exfo.com

Integrated connectors
Anritsu has introduced a family of Integrated V Connectors (based on its 1.85 mm V Connector design, but also compatible with 2.4 mm connectors) which incorporates the launcher and integrated glass bead in a single housing. With industry-best return loss of 15dB up to 65 GHz and typical SWR of 1.3:1, it is suited for use as the RF input in optical modulators.

V115F is a ground lip version which includes all compensation steps for matching to microstrip or coplanar waveguide (CPW). V116F is a screw-in version.

Expanded connector range
Seiko Instruments has added the MU/APC (Angle PC technology) and LC/APC connector series to its range of precision fibre-optic products.

With just half of the size of previous connectors such as the SC, the smaller MU doubles the number of devices that can be installed on a single panel, offering cost savings.

Smaller connectors enable new generations of small-form-factor transceivers, supporting the rise in the number of connectors fitted in a patch panel.

Both MU and LC connectors offer insertion loss of 0.1dB (max. 0.5dB) and return loss of 70dB (min.60 dB) for single mode APC polishing. The corresponding 1.25mm zirconia ferrule is also produced by Seiko Instruments.

Colour-coded for easy identification, the housing comes standard in green to signify APC applications. The series accommodates 0.9, 1.6, and 2mm fibre types and suits high-speed production polishing processes.
E-mail: [email protected]

10Gbit/s Ethernet transceiver
Optillion has announced its first 10Gbit/s Ethernet transceiver, the 1310nm TOP 3010, together with a development tool evaluation system for its Xenpak module. Optillion says this is the first complete transceiver system development solution for the emerging 10Gbit/s Ethernet market.

The transceiver is aimed at data aggregation and switching, trunking in metro networks, point-to-point links and test systems. The hot-swappable fibre-optic module increases system flexibility to respond to changing traffic patterns.

Optillion's scalable optic sub-module technology, with integration of high-speed electronic and optic components, gives good performance for the longer transmission distances needed in the ongoing 10Gbit/s Ethernet standardisation (IEEE 802.3ae).

"The high integration level in the product means that a 10 Gbit/s Ethernet switch can be developed rapidly, because fewer sub-components need to be integrated", says Optillion's Geoff Brown. "Volume production will ramp up in Q2/2002."
www.optillion.com