Attendees' Choice Awards

ECOC 2001 nominees

Vote for your favorite product in each category and you could win an ebook at the end of the show

Welcome to the Lightwave Attendees' Choice Awards balloting for products featured at ECOC 2001. Those attending the show are eligible to vote for their favorite product in each of six categories within this section: Systems, Subsystems, Components, Test Equipment, Manufacturing Equipment, and Design Tools. An additional award will be presented to the company whose product receives the most votes overall. Please use the enclosed ballot included only with the September 2001 issues of Lightwave distributed at ECOC. All ballots should be dropped off at the Lightwave show booth.

SYSTEMS

Programmable OADM
This programmable OADM combines thin-film DWDM and opto-mechanical switch technologies with a user-friendly electronically controlled interface. It can dynamically add or drop any or all operating channels remotely or on the board, using built-in software. A series of programmable OADMs (4x4, 8x8, 16x16, and 20x20) with 50-GHz, 100-GHz, and 200-GHz ITU grid spacing-for both C- and L-bands-is also available.
Global Opticom, Sunnyvale, CA

Multiplexer card
The CMX-IG2 multiplexer card provides simultaneous transmission of Gigabit Ethernet and/or Fibre Channel protocol via one optical fiber. The two-channel multiplexer is available as a channel card for the DWDM system FOMUX 3000 and as a standalone device.
Pandatel AG, Hamburg, Germany

Protocol-agile bandwidth manager
With multiple network element and multiprotocol capabilities, CityStream eliminates the need for separate SONET add/drop multiplexers, digital crossconnect systems, ATM edge switches, and IP routers. It supports data, voice, and video traffic over optical networks with a nonblocking core switching fabric that scales from 100 Gbits/sec. As a single network element designed for metro applications, it is designed to improve bandwidth efficiency. Independent test labs and third-party suppliers validate a blackplane bandwidth capability of 820 Gbits/sec.
Metro-Optix Inc., Allen, TX

SUBSYSTEMS

Photonics alignment engine
The PI F-130 is a compact, computer-controllable XYZ alignment and positioning system that combines the advantages of ultra-high-resolution piezo drives with the long travel range of motorized stages in a small footprint. Features include 15x15x15-mm travel, 100x100x100-µm closed-loop PZT travel, 1-nm resolution, CyberAligner software, and stepper and closed-loop DC-motor drives. The PZT scanner allows rapid mapping of an entire cross-coupling section in seconds, avoiding lock-on to spurious local maxima.
Polytec PI Inc., Auburn, MA

VOA demultiplexer
The LightWeaver VOA demultiplexer consists of 40 thermo-optic variable optical attenuators and one arrayed-waveguide-grating demultiplexer. Replacing 79 or more discrete optical elements, this device has total channel isolation required for demultiplexing applications.
Lightwave Microsystems, San Jose, CA

Channel level controller
This DWDM channel level controller automatically controls each channel signal level (up to 40 channels) by using VOAs. The product is characterized by a module-mounting system that enables VOAs and AWGs to be mounted on the same module board, allowing en-bloc connection of both devices via eight-fiber ribbon cables. This unit is compact and consumes 17 W of power.
NTT Electronics Corp., Dogenzaka, Tokyo

Switching subsystem
The Photon 16x16 is an all-optical switching subsystem that uses the company's planar lightwave circuit technology. With 16 input ports and 16 output ports, this solid-state switch allows system developers to deliver "network aware" switched optical networks. Features include built-in variable optical attenuation for flexible power management, multicasting/broadcasting to support new applications and carrier services, and a sophisticated high-level control and status command language system.
Lynx Photonic Networks Inc., Calabasas Hills, CA

Single-lambda system
The FlightSpectrum 2.5-Gbit/sec (OC-48) single-lambda system operates at 1,550 nm in free space. This carrier-class product meets telecommunications industry standards for reliability and availability and conforms to all applicable ITU and Telcordia telecommunications equipment design guidelines. The product is protocol and topology agnostic and can be deployed on rooftops and/or behind windows. It supports a standard management interface using SNMP proxy agents and meets certifications for Class I-M requirements by IEC and Class I by CDRH, CE, UL, and FCC Part 15.
LightPointe, San Diego

Management system
The TERAOPTIC is a high-capacity management system for fiber-optic networks. It offers up to 1,600 fiber-optic connections with 12 different standards (LC, MU, SC, ScApc, FC, FcApc, EC, etc.) TERAOPTIC can be customized to fit customer specifications.
ICTL-Liaisons Optiques, Vaulx en Velin, France

Pre-amplifier gain blocks
Featuring compact size and low power consumption, the EOA-U series of compact pre-amplifier gain blocks are designed for single-channel amplification in metro or long-haul links as well as for signal loss compensation at add/drop nodes. They are available in the C- and L-bands and are designed to accommodate a large dynamic input power range while preserving good gain flatness and low noise figure.
MPB Communications Inc., Pointe-Claire, Canada

COMPONENTS

VOA and shutter
The Mark II variable optical attenuator and shutter for design engineers and component buyers offers an all-fiber footprint, low loss of the propagating lightwave, high reliability, and low reflectivity. The product can handle up to 200 mW of power, features backreflection rates of -70 dB, and has no moving parts. The Mark II can be set to operate at any single channel between 1,300 and 1,630 nm, eliminating wavelength-dependent loss. Polarization-dependent loss is <0.1 dB, and a control driver zeroes out any variations in performance caused by changes in temperature or wavelength.
ProtoDel International Ltd., Hackbridge, UK

980-/1,550-nm WDM
Dura WDM is ultra-low insertion-loss 980-/ 1,550-nm WDM for optical amplifiers. The product provides significant performance gains over typical optical fused fiber WDMs. Typical WDMs have optical loss figures in the 0.2- to 0.3-dB range. Dura WDM features low insertion loss of <0.1 dB for both the pump channel and the signal channel. Features also include ultra-low PDL, low PMD, and high power handling (>3 W). Operation is over the entire optical C- or L-band, and the components measure 45 mm in length.
Oplink Communications Inc., San Jose

8-port VOA
This 8-port variable optical attenuator (VOA) provides gain equalization and dynamic saturation control of optical signals. It is built on the company's PhotonIC platform using a polymer waveguide design that provides low insertion loss, low PDL, small footprint, and electronically controllable attenuation with low power consumption. The VOA individually attenuates eight signals through a monolithic planar waveguide device and is capable of delivering more than 30 dB of dynamic attenuation while consuming less than 10 mW per port of drive power. The temperature-insensitive design eliminates the need for a thermo-electric cooler.
Gemfire Corp., Palo Alto, CA

Add/drop multiplexer
This Mach-Zehnder-based 50-GHz optical add/drop multiplexer combines twin-core fiber and photo-imprinted Bragg grating technologies. Available in standard or premium models, the units have a wavelength range of 1,530-1,565 nm. The standard size measures 7x7x106 mm³, and the premium model measures13x80x106 mm³. This OADM is bidirectional and fully symmetric.
HighWave Optical Technologies, Cedex, France

Multiplexer/demultiplexer
The 3Flat Top Misc2 athermal multiplexer/ demultiplexer provides extra-wide flat-top response (400 pm at -1 dB) with a typical insertion loss of 5 dB. There is no degradation of the performances between -10°C and 70°C, because the insertion loss variations are typically below 0.3 dB.
NetTest, Marly-le-Roi, France

MU attenuator
This MU attenuator can be installed into any port at a multiple ganged adapter. Plug housing is detachable, and the dB level can be easily changed at the field (attenuation levels: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20 dB).
Hirose Electric Co. Ltd., Schiphol-Rijk, Netherlands

Optical flex circuit
The Optical Shuffle offers a custom solution to dense fiber routing with its next-generation optical flex circuit used in routers, switches, and optical-networking systems. The complex fiber routings are compacted into a 4x0.2-inch diameter package, and fiber counts scale to >192 fibers. They are available with or without connectors and with input/output legs of any length and configuration.
Schott Communications Technologies Inc., Southbridge, MA

Coarse WDM
The SpectraMux line of four- and eight-channel coarse WDM modules allow for extended temperature performance, high adjacent-band isolation, high center-wavelength accuracy and stability, low insertion loss, high directivity, an epoxy-free optical path, and low polarization-dependent loss. SpectraMux products are available packaged in an LGX module or a board-mount cassette with most connector terminations available.
Alliance Fiber Optic Products Inc., Sunnyvale, CA

Dispersion-management device
The Hi-Mode dispersion-management device is a full-slope-matched broadband solution for chromatic dispersion of nonzero dispersion-shifted fiber. It is a passive optical module, containing no electronics or moving parts and is engineered with high-order-mode technology to manage chromatic dispersion and dispersion slope for wavelengths in the C- or L-band. It also removes the effects of chromatic dispersion to enable optical networking at 10 Gbits/sec and 40 Gbits/sec with all-optical links.
LaserComm, Plano, TX

50-GHz interleaver
This DWDM interleaver is a single-stage router that separates narrowly spaced incoming wavelengths into two widely spaced sets or combines them into one. The all-fiber-based optical routers provide passive technology and feature 30-dB isolation and near-zero dispersion. These products are designed for metro solutions requiring add/drop points with small, athermal devices and were also designed to allow ultra-long-haul systems designers to reach increasing transmission distances due to its low chromatic dispersion.
ITF Optical Technologies, St. Laurent, Quebec

Transmitter/receiver module
The HRFB-712BP transmitter and HFBR-722BP receiver modules are surface-mount-compatible parallel optic modules with industry-standard fiber-optic cables and connectors. They deliver an aggregate throughput of 30 Gbits/sec, while using only 38 mm of the long dimension of printed circuit boards.
Agilent Technologies Inc., Semiconductor Products Group, San Jose

Pump combiner
The iPBC hybrid pump combiner is designed specifically for high-power Raman amplifiers and EDFAs. This combiner performs the dual functionality of a polarization beam combiner and an isolator, with almost half the insertion loss of conventional devices, according to the company. It is designed to use fewer or lower-power pump lasers to minimize space and lower manufacturing costs. It features a wide wavelength-operating range, accommodates a range of pump lasers, and has been tested for high optical power handling.
New Focus Inc., San Jose

C- and L-band amplifier
The gain-locking EDFA FAW-153-B is a benchtop C- and L-band fiber amplifier. It is designed to fix the gain at a given value, regardless of input power, and keep the gain constant at a 32-channel DWDM system, even if 31 out of 32 channels are dropped (corresponding to a 15-dB dynamic range). It has a flat gain within ±0.3 dB from 1,530 to 1,610 nm over its 15-dB dynamic range. Its gain-locking accuracy is within 1 dB, with a response time smaller than 1 msec.
INO, Sainte-Foy, Quebec

Fixed plug-type attenuator
This attenuator meets Bellcore 910 and IEC 869-1 requirements. The product is compatible with standard SC and FC connectors and adaptors and features low insertion tolerance.
Luxtech Co. Ltd., Kyoungki-do, Korea

Pump modules
Three types of 980-nm LD pump modules are available: submarine, terrestrial, and metro. The terrestrial type is a butterfly module with fiber grating, 180-mW output power, minimum 220-mW kink-free fiber output power, and an operating temperature range of 0-65°C. The metro type is a coaxial module and coolerless, featuring 40- to 90-mW output power, minimum 110-mW kink-free fiber output power, and an operating temperature range of 0-70°C.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corp., Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Amplifier array
This eight-port erbium-doped amplifier array is based on PECVD platform technology and allows high volume fabrication of complex optical circuits with monolithic integration of erbium-doped amplifying sections and passive functionalities. It contains pump/signal multiplexers on input and pump kill filters on output of each amplifier, on an 80x35-mm chip. The array can be delivered as a chip or as a fully pigtailed and packaged component.
CISILIAS A/S, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

LiNbO₃ modulator
This OC-192 LiNbO₃ modulator is designed for long-haul and ultra-long-haul DWDM applications. It has low radio-frequency drive voltage and high extinction ratio and can be integrated with forward-error-correction, return-to-zero, variable-optical-attenuator, and fixed-chirp operations. It works in the 1,550-nm wavelength and fits into a three-inch package.
Aeroflex Trilink Corp., Baldwin Park, CA

Patch cord
The Multi-Core optical patch cord comes with an MTP, MPO, and MPX connector. Four, eight, 12, and 24 fibers are available. Other features include interferometric testing, ruggedized cable or bare ribbon options, and maximum insertion loss of 0.75 dB for singlemode and 0.5 dB for multimode.
Go4Fiber Ltd., Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong

2x2 switch
The WaveWalker is a bidirectional, non-blocking, 2x2 optical switch based on liquid-crystal technology. Features include no moving parts, yielding billion-cycle durability; high-cycle-rate capability; nonstick performance; and immunity from vibration-induced performance degradation as designed to ensure stable, temperature-insensitive insertion loss over the operating range. This product meets application requirements for configurable optical add/drop, optical-network protection, and reconfiguration applications.
SpectraSwitch Inc., Santa Rosa, CA

Specialty optical fiber
This specially engineered, cladding mode suppression fiber is used in the manufacturing of fiber Bragg gratings and provides almost total suppression of cladding modes. It is suitable for broad-spectrum bandwidth DWDM applications and gain-flattening filters. The fiber provides an increase in grating diameter, which results in suppression of the coupling between core modes. It also provides low splice loss and requires no hydrogenation for the writing of deep gratings.
StockerYale, Salem, NH

Multichannel data link
This short-range multichannel 2.5-Gbit/sec data link utilizes edge-emitting laser technology at 1.3 µm. Modules are available in singlemode or multimode configurations, as eight-channel transmitters/ receivers, or as four-channel transceivers. They are hermetically sealed in surface-mount packages.
Optobahn Corp., Torrance, CA

Fiber connector cleaner
The CLETOP-S optical-fiber connector cleaner is a cassette-type cleaner and replacement tape with the capability to clean multifiber connectors with replaceable rubber pads under the tape. Both cassette and tape cartridge are made of antistatic material to decrease the generation of static electricity. New replacement tapes are made of plain fabrics, which are effective for 1.25-ferrule and multifiber pin connectors.
NTT-ME Corp., Toshimaku, Tokyo

Crosspoint switch
The ACI-2049 electronic fiber-optic crosspoint switch provides software control of physical-layer switching and monitoring of data and fiber-optic connections. Windows 95/98/NT/2000 GUI control software allows port reconfiguration and management. Broadcast mode allows data monitoring without interrupting normal connections or affecting data integrity and speed. A modular hardware design allows mixing optical transceivers for varying distance requirements (multimode and singlemode).
APCON Inc., Portland, OR

Fiber collimator
IsoPower fiber collimators are drop-in replacements for standard GRIN-lens-based fiber collimators. They use the company's IsoSphere ball lens technology and provide the device designer with uniform power and low insertion losses over a broad wavelength range. They are available in either 1,310-nm or 1,550-nm dual-band configuration or in an ultra-broadband version that provides uniform performance over the S-, C-, and L-bands.
Deposition Sciences Inc., Santa Rosa, CA

Tunable filter
The OTF-655 is a compact tunable filter module designed for applications such as channel selection in DWDM systems, ASE noise reduction, and wavelength monitoring. The device incorporates a stepper motor and utilizes independent linear sliding technology to achieve accurate wavelength tuning while maintaining constant optical properties over the entire wavelength range. The OTF-655 offers a 35-nm tuning range to cover either the C- or L-band and is available with a wide range of filters. The device is hermetically sealed with a height of 7.1 mm-suitable for PCB mounting and system integration.
Santec Europe Limited, Oxford, UK

PLC splitter
This planar lightwave circuit splitter is compact, features high reliability (Telecordia GR-1209-CORE and GR-1221-CORE equivalency), is suitable for ATM PON applications, has a wide operating temperature range (40-75°C), and operates between 1,310-nm (±30) and 1,550-nm (± 60) spectra.
Showa Electric Wire and Cable Co. Ltd., Minato-ku, Tokyo

Machined grooves
The V-Grooves are made from glass, silicon, or zirconia and are available in component or assembled V-arrays with 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 48, or 96-plus fibers. Precision grinding technology ensures degree pitch accuracy of 127 or 250 µm within a tolerance of ±0.5 µm. Custom-designed configurations with pitch, thickness, and fiber types are also available. V-Grooves and fiber arrays are used to connect PLC devices to optical ribbon fiber. Applications include DWDM, waveguide packaging, MEMS, and miniaturized fiber optical components.
Senko Advanced Components Ltd. (Europe), Berkshire, UK

Optical multiplexers/demultiplexers
The Chromatica series of high-channel-number optical multiplexers/demultiplexers is based on the company's VPG technology and features compact 16-, 32-, and 40-channel DWDM modules designed and manufactured for OEM integration. These 100-GHz and 50-GHz channel-spacing multiplexers/demultiplexers feature low insertion loss, low PDL, wide passband, good channel-to-channel insertion-loss uniformity, high channel isolation, and low manufacturing cost. They are volume producible, metro-network sensitive, and Bellcore ready. Typical insertion loss is 3 dB.
BaySpec Inc., Fremont, CA

Optical-channel monitors
This line of optical-channel monitors includes units with single-band coverage in the C- or L-band, with up to 55-nm bandwidth coverage, and dual-band units covering both C- and L-bands. The compact size is designed to leave more space available in the system circuit packs. Interface options include a DPRAM and general-purpose units with RS232 interfaces.
Lucent Technologies, Specialty Fiber Group, Somerset, NJ

Direct modulation laser
The FLD3F11BX multiple-quantum-well DFB laser is intended for application in short- and intermediate-reach 2.5-Gbit/sec fiber transmission systems. The 1,310-nm uncooled laser is manufactured in an industry-standard eight-pin, mini-dil package and transmits up to 40 km without the need for regeneration. The module employs a high-efficiency optical coupling system, coupling the laser output through a built-in optical isolator into a singlemode fiber pigtail. The modules also include a monitor diode and thermistor.
Fujitsu Compound Semiconductor Inc., San Jose

Ceramic fiber array
These multichannel ceramic arrays are applicable for fiber arrays and micro-lens arrays in various DWDM optical modules and components. Hole diameter and the size of the arrays can be customized to fit customer needs, and materials can be chosen from ZrO2, SiO2, and AI2O3. Products are produced in different shapes: cylindrical, box, and matrix.
Kohoku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

TEST EQUIPMENT

Network-monitoring system
FiberCare is a high-performance system for automatic remote monitoring of optical networks based on reflectometry and signal-processing technologies. With this system, users can detect and localize faults in real time without interrupting the flow of data. The product includes testing and optical diagnosis units installed in the field and a centralized management system. Permanent access to fibers being monitored is available, and a flexible architecture helps designers easily deploy their networks.
Thales Idatys S.A., Plaisir, France

Source module
The FOS-9200520XX is a dual-source module for the SSB-9200 high-density source bank for WDM component, amplifier, and system testing. It has the capability to free up to 25 slots in the 9200 mainframe to be used for other options. For large channel-count applications, up to 100 laser sources can be purchased and utilized in a single mainframe, resulting in a 70% reduction in space over traditional eight-channel mainframes.
ILX Lightwave Corp., Bozeman, MT

Optical module
The 86109B wide-bandwidth optical module for the 86100A Infiniium DCA (digital communications analyzer) mainframe allows designers and manufacturers of high-speed optical components and network equipment to accurately characterize 40-Gbit/sec waveforms. The module has one 40-GHz optical channel and one 50-GHz electrical channel. The optical channel provides a combination of bandwidth and waveform pulse fidelity for accurately determining the performance of a 40-Gbit/sec signal.
Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA

Test set
The Chromos11 is an optical-network chromatic-dispersion field test set. Designed for in-system chromatic-dispersion measurement, it allows transmission system suppliers and operators to measure the total end-to-end dispersion of both repeaterless and line-amplified systems with minimum disruption. It can characterize long-haul optical networks incorporating embedded optical amplifiers.
PerkinElmer Optoelectronics, Berkshire, UK

System mainframes
The 8163B, 8164B, and 8166B lightwave measurement system mainframes' modular concept addresses different measurement needs of passive and active lightwave components manufacturers with high channel flexibility. All three utilize modules and software. They also come with high-resolution color TFT displays and faster reaction times. The user-friendly interface allows measurement data transfer in remote applications. In addition, the higher internal memory capacity enables easy integration of future applications, eliminating associated costs and time-consuming setup.
Agilent Technologies, Deutschland GmbH, Boeblingen, Germany

DWDM test system
The IQ-12004B DWDM passive component test system accurately characterizes critical specifications-spectral insertion loss, polarization-dependent loss, and optical return loss-of a DWDM passive component. The system sweeps a low-noise tunable-laser source across the C- or C+L-band and measures power on multiple channels. PDL measurements in accordance with the Muller matrix method are optional and provide PDS versus wavelength across the complete range. The attenuation and PDL sweeps are completed without any fiber handling.
EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc., Vanier, Quebec

Channel access test set
The WSP100 DWDM portable channel access test set is designed to measure channel spacing in the C-band to 50 GHz and offers complete ITU diagnostic measurements for DWDM systems. The large, backlit screen displays sweep results in tabular or graph form with failed channels highlighted. User-selected thresholds allow customized testing. It can be remotely controlled for network-monitoring tests.
Noyes, a division of Alcoa Fujikura Ltd., Belmont, NH

Chromatic-dispersion analyzer
The v-CD1 is a high-precision chromatic-dispersion analyzer designed for field tests. It features a handheld source and a lightweight receiver linked to a computer via USB port. The measurement requires only the fiber under test (no reference fiber) and takes about 10 sec. The standard version features 35-dB dynamic range and measurements in the C-band.
Luciol Instruments, Nyon, Switzerland

Video-inspection probe
The P3 is a 300x, long-reach video inspection probe designed for long-reach, module-based, backplane connectors. The product is encased in a durable ESD-safe plastic shroud, with a working reach of 14.25 inches (excluding the handle). Built into the handle are two controls for focusing on fiber end-faces and "panning" multifiber connectors. The Ribbon Drive mechanism allows horizontal or vertical panning across ribbon fiber connectors to view each fiber individually. Images can be viewed on a handheld display or captured and saved on a PC via the FiberChek USB image capture device.
Westover Scientific, Woodinville, WA

Test system
The SL-CTS is a swept-laser component test system for fast (200-msec), accurate (±5-pm), wide dynamic range (>60-dB) characterization of DWDM components. The system includes a narrow-linewidth (>500-MHz), low-noise, high-power (1-mW) swept-laser source, an absolute optical wavelength reference, and detector modules for measuring components such as couplers, filters, routers, and fiber Bragg gratings in real time on the manufacturing floor in both transmission and reflection.
Micron Optics Inc., Atlanta

Test adapter
The DSP-FTA440S gigabit fiber test adapter is a certification tool that mimics the performance of active network equipment and provides greater test headroom. The VCSEL-based loss-length fiber certification tool is for use with the company's DSP CableAnalyzer and allows test results to be managed in the CableManager database along with multimode, singlemode, and copper test results.
Fluke Networks, Everett, WA

Test fixture
The ButterflyNet test fixture was designed for life test, burn-in, and characterization of laser-diode butterfly packaged de vices. It provides a repeatable thermal contact between fixture and device, ensuring thermal transfer/uniformity. It does not require bolting the package down; users insert for quick and easy release of up to 16 devices per "net." The product is compatible with standard 14-pin butterfly and custom butterfly packages.
Racal Instruments Inc., Irvine, CA

MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT

Fiber-alignment stations
These process-ready fiber-alignment stations for next-generation fiber-optic components are fully enclosed, self-contained manufacturing stations with automated component handling, laser welding, glue-dispense and UV-cure options combined with safe, hands-off operation through a simple-use interface.
Melles Griot Ltd., Ely, UK

Connector cleaner
The Ultra SCC-3000 is a connector cleaner that incorporates ultrasonic technology to clean connectors automatically-in the adapter, without disconnecting from behind. When the switch is pressed, the connector is pre-washed, washed, and dried within 5 sec. Environmentally safe, it can clean more than 500 connectors without a refill.
Lightel Technologies Inc., Kent, WA

Polishing machine
The OFL-15 is a next-generation polishing machine offering programmable functions on polishing pressure by closed-loop controlled disk rotation speed and polishing time. Computerized programming controls each polishing step, and up to 16 connectors can be polished. The OFL-12 addresses software and hardware polishing conditions.
Seiko Instruments, Nei-Isenburg, Germany

Spot-curing system
The Novacure IR is an infrared light spot-curing system for thermal cure adhesives. It delivers the benefits of inline spot curing using infrared light to initiate the process in conventional heat-cure adhesives.
EFOS Inc., Mississauga, Ontario

Alignment system
The auto-fiber alignment system is a peak search system for coupling fiber arrays and waveguides. The system is designed to help conduct confidential fiber-optical research; support device evaluations, inspections, and modular assemblies; and offer quality alignment.
Suruga Seiki Co. Ltd., Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Epoxy dispenser
The 1500XL dispenser applies epoxies and UV-cure adhesives with greater accuracy and control than hand syringes and other manual applications, according to the company. This dispenser is designed to give fiber-optic manufacturers higher yields with fewer rejects and greater process controls. By using microprocessor-based circuitry to determine the amount of material applied, the product removes variability from dispensing processes and assures the correct amount of adhesive is applied. The product uses a precisely timed air pulse to apply adhesive in consistent amounts.
EFD Inc., East Providence, RI

DESIGN TOOLS

Simulation software
Artifex 4.4 software is designed to provide a modeling and simulation environment supporting the design and validation of network technologies such as all-optical networks, standard and emerging protocols, switching equipment and architectures, and protection and restoration themes. Features include a new graphic interface, improved management of simulation parameters, and library extension with inclusion of various block/protocols.
Artis Software, San Jose