November 17, 2005 Sunnyvale, CA -- K2 Optronics, a provider of laser products for video deployment over next-generation HFC and FTTX architectures, has announced general availability of 4.25-Gbit/sec DWDM lasers for use in metropolitan area networks (MANs) and extended storage area networks (SANs). These lasers are available in ITU-standard wavelengths across the C-band for links up to 120 km.
"Based on K2 Optronics' mature external-cavity platform, this laser provides not only a substantially lower dispersion penalty, but also lower chirp than directly modulated distributed-feedback lasers," explains Dr. Tom Fong, vice president of marketing for K2 Optronics. "Wavelength stability is ensured by design, eliminating the need for wavelength lockers and complex feedback control circuits. This new laser builds on these innovations and expands our market-leading DWDM laser portfolio. Based on customer-specific designs for tier-one customers, the device is now available in volume quantities via our offshore manufacturing partner in Thailand."
"4G networking is a new trend in the metro-DWDM arena," adds Jeff Montgomery, chairman and founder of research group Electronicast. "SAN applications and managed storage services - specifically those using Fiber Channel - are spurring the emergence of 4-Gbit/sec transponders and associated components. This laser provides a new degree of cost-effective flexibility for enterprises supporting high-bandwidth applications among MAN locations or for carriers offering managed services to business customers."