SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 -- VPIphotonics (search for VPIphotonics), a division of VPIsystems, has announced Version 8.0 of its photonic design automation toolset. Version 8.0 provides new modeling features, improved usability, and advances in design process and data analysis. In addition, VPItransmissionMaker Optical Systems, a new all-in-one software tool for optical systems design, addresses the convergence of optical technologies and architectures for access, aggregation, and core networks, the company says.
"We have seen cable companies adopt WDM approaches to accommodate a tremendous growth in services, and core network designers revert to sub-carrier modulation and coherent detection techniques to further reduce costs, increase robustness, and progress further towards higher data rates per channel," said André Richter, director of product management. "VPIphotonics' customers will benefit from the new VPItransmissionMaker Optical Systems since it now provides all the modeling capabilities and simulation advantages that have been offered to two, formerly separate markets. Furthermore, it supports the design of new architecture and technology developments resulting from combined influences and ideas. We will offer our many current customers flexible upgrade options allowing them to benefit from the vastly increased modeling functionalities."
To support quick assessment of signal quality measures in WDM transmission systems using built-in or user-supplied engineering design rules, Version 8.0 provides the new VPIdesignRules control. This interface takes advantage of link analysis capabilities, which provide the means for tracking, visualizing, and analyzing signal properties along the fiber link without the need to run long-lasting simulations, VPIphotonics asserts. Properties such as signal, noise and distortion powers, GVD, DGD and nonlinear phase shift, OSNR, Q-factor, and BER limits can be evaluated versus geographical position, physical distance, propagation time, or frequency. In addition, customized variables that are derived from the tracked signal and path characteristics can be visualized and used to evaluate the system under test with respect to engineering design rules.
To address latest research and development interests, Version 8.0 offers enhanced modeling capabilities for optical transmitter and receiver components needed in high-speed mPSK, mQAM systems and OFDM transmission systems. Significant modeling advances for AWGs, SOAs, and polarization tracking are also provided. Among the advances in the product's usability is the facility to distribute interactive simulations (such as parameter sweeps, optimizations, and Monte Carlo variations) directed from a single user interface to multiple local or remote cores. Windows in both 32 and 64-bit versions are supported.
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