Network Design

Apogee Photonics intros CWDM lasers to meet emerging 100-Gigabit Ethernet standard

Dec. 5, 2006

DECEMBER 5, 2006 -- Apogee Photonics' EML lasers will be available for sample evaluation in early 2007 and, subject to ratification of the 100-GbE IEEE standard, generally available as early as the second half of 2007.

DECEMBER 5, 2006 -- In support of standards currently under development by the IEEE 802.3 Higher Speed Study Group (HSSG), Apogee Photonics (search for Apogee Photonics) is developing a family of uncooled CWDM lasers that will support aggregate data rates of more than 100 Gbits/sec.

Two product variations, both under consideration by the IEEE study group, will be available: first, a 20-Gbit/sec 1310-nm externally modulated laser (EML) used in a five-channel CWDM configuration and, alternatively, a 25-Gbit/sec EML in a four-channel configuration. These CWDM-based approaches to 100-Gbit/sec data links build on the successful LX4 implementation of 10-GbE transponders, as well as the recently announced X40 1310-nm CWDM solution for 40-Gbit/sec links.

The Apogee Photonics uncooled 20- and 25-Gbit/sec EML lasers are based on the company's uncooled 10-Gbit/sec 1310-nm EML sources, which the company claims have best-in-class mask margin and the ability to operate uncooled over temperature ranges of -20 ° to 90 ° C. Apogee Photonics says its uncooled 10-Gbit/sec 1310-nm EML is deployed at tier-one OEM and module customers worldwide.

"The key advantage of Apogee Photonics' 10-Gbit/sec uncooled 1310-nm EML is that the bandwidth can be significantly increased beyond 10 Gbits/sec, unlike directly modulated DFB's that are challenged at data rates above 10 Gbits/sec," explains Milind Gokhale, CTOIof Apogee Photonics. "In addition, the 20-Gbit/sec and 25Gbit/sec EML sources support the 10-km link distance targeted by the 802.3 Study Group."

"Apogee Photonics' goal is to develop enabling photonics technologies that anticipate future customer needs," explains CEO Mike Decelle. "While the development of a 100-GbE standard is only recently underway, our world-class indium phosphide technology portfolio is fully capable of supporting one of the candidate technologies for implementing the next advance in Ethernet transmission speeds," he reports. "Our 10-Gbit/sec uncooled 1310-nm EML is well established as the most reliable and highest performance laser source in its class, and it is upon this foundation that the next generation of Ethernet technology can be enabled."

The Apogee Photonics EML lasers will be available for sample evaluation in early 2007 and, subject to ratification of the 100-GbE IEEE standard, generally available as early as the second half of 2007.

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