EMCORE Corporation has announced the availability of a family of Course Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) VCSELs for high-speed data communications. The family of CWDM VCSELs, which consists of four oxide VCSELs with wavelengths of 778nm, 800nm, 825nm, and 850nm, have been selected by Blaze Network Products and Cognet Microsystems for use in their CWDM modules.
Each VCSEL operates at 3.125 Gbps for an aggregate bandwidth in excess of 10 Gbps. The very tight control of wavelength required for CWDM applications can be achieved using EMCORE's renowned TurboDisc Tools, which provide tremendous repeatability and reproducibility within the VCSEL growth and fabrication process.
A key benefit of using EMCORE's VCSELs for CWDM applications is the stability of wavelength over an operating temperature range from 0(Degree) to 90(Degree) C. The minimum shift allows for cost reduction by eliminating the need for temperature controls required with typical WDM lasers. The EMCORE oxide VCSELs also offer an advantage in power utilization. With thresholds averaging 2mA per VCSEL and typical slope efficiencies of .5mW/mA, light output of 2mA or more can be obtained with minimum power usage.
Blaze Network Products is using the 4 CWDM VCSEL devices to drive the development of CWDM modules for short reach (10 Gbps/OC-192) and extended reach (1 Gbps) data communication applications. In addition, EMCORE has announced that Cognet MicroSystems, which recently became a division of Intel, is currently using EMCORE's CWDM VCSELs for use in its high-speed data communications module for short reach applications.
Blaze uses WDM for short wavelength and data communications applications. The 10 Gbps module, which was designed for optical connect applications under 300 meters, including Local Area Networks (LANs) such as Gigabit Ethernet and Fiber Channel, is the first of its kind in the marketplace.
Oxide VCSELs have a very fast intrinsic speed and very high uniformity (EMCORE has demonstrated rates of up to 12.5 Gbps); therefore, only small alterations were necessary to create these new products. EMCORE was the first vendor to produce oxide VCSELs in commercial quantities and has expanded its oxide VCSEL product line to accommodate several datacom applications, including Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, OC-192 and OC-768.
About EMCORE:
EMCORE Corporation offers compound semiconductor products for the broadband and wireless communications and solid state lighting markets. For more information, visit www.emcore.com.
About Blaze Network Products:
Blaze Network Products develops and manufactures cost-effective, next-generation optical networking products. For more information, visit www.BlazeNP.com.
About Cognet Microsystems:
Cognet Microsystems is a supplier of fiber optic solutions for multi-gigabit networks. Cognet's products include integrated circuits and WDM optical components. For more information, visit www.cognetmicro.com.