Cube Optics debuts miniature wavelength management modules
MAY 7, 2008 -- Mainz, Germany-based Cube Optics AG (search for Cube Optics) has released its uncontrolled environment specified line of miniature wavelength management modules. Cube Optics says its components and modules excel where small form factor, simple and cost-effective integration, and high reliability are critical to realizing outside plant-deployable PON/FTTx architectures.
In accordance with the Telcordia GR1221 standard, these RoHS-compliant, rugged ITU CWDM components have already been deployed in FTTX networks in both Europe and North America for many months, says the company. All performance results from the field confirm excellent operating endurance from -40 ° C to +85 ° C, Cube Optics representatives report.
The insertion loss for an eight wavelength (channel) module from -20 ° C to +85 ° C is typically 1.6 dB with corresponding link loss of less than 2.9 dB, promoting and enhancing long reach applications, says the company. PON architectures inherently enable cost-efficient analog CATV overlay capability on the same fiber pair, and the Cube Optics line of wavelength management modules meets and exceeds the required isolation between CATV and data of 70 dB and beyond. Channel uniformity across eight wavelengths with 20-nm spacing is typically better than 0.2 dB. This uniformity enables network architecture flexibility and cannot be achieved with classical MUX/DEMUX options, the company says.
Outside Plant level qualification permits the Cube Optics modules and subsystems to be installed in metro edge networks supporting various broadband applications. In the metro edge, equipment is typically housed in outdoor enclosures relatively near central offices and headends. These links benefit from CWDM's capacity-multiplying capabilities as demand for triple-play and other new bandwidth hungry services grow.
The Cube Optics' CWDM modules are available in four- and eight- channel variations with and without auxiliary taps, test ports, or express channels addressing the entire 18 ITU wavelengths specified under ITU norms. The ultra-compact and adaptable optical design enables factory-configurable wavelength and port management, enabling the integration of CWDM into virtually all major brands of infrastructure equipment, says the company, including splice and mounting trays for curb-side equipment racks, fiber cassettes for curbside pedestals, pole-mounted enclosures, and buried fiber distribution points.
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