NeoPhotonics unveils ultracompact MEMS-based VOAs

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 -- At the European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication (ECOC 2009), NeoPhotonics has announced the general availability of the FVOA8000 and FVOA8100 variable optical attenuators (VOAs). VOAs improve the performance of high-capacity (10-to-100-Gbps) multiple-wavelength systems (DWDM) used in metro and long-haul network services by maintaining the optical power in each channel at optimal levels.

These devices, the latest in NeoPhotonics' line of MEMS-based VOAs, are ultracompact devices that the company says easily drop into any optical network application. All devices in the FVOA8000 family exhibit high-speed operation, highdynamic range, high attenuation accuracy, low excess loss, low polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and high off-state extinction.

The FVOA8000 is designed to operate for a single DWDM channel or a single wavelength at a time. The FVOA8100 exhibits all of the performance of the FVOA8000 coupled with very low wavelength-dependent loss (WDL) across the entire C-band or L-band, making it suitable for applications where multiple DWDM channels must be attenuated simultaneously. The FVOA8100 exhibits the speed, low WDL, low PDL, and high attenuation accuracy that make it appropriate for use in optical amplifiers.

"We are pleased to offer our customers these new products that build on our extensive line of MEMS VOA products to provide enhanced performance in a more economical, compact package," says Ben Sitler, vice president of sales at NeoPhotonics. "To date we have shipped over 300,000 MEMS based VOAs into the market and are excited about the prospects for the FVOA8000 family."

Located at Booth #613 in the Austria Centre, NeoPhotonics is showcasing a portfolio of MEMS- and PIC (photonic integrated circuit)-based optical components; its telecom transceiver products in SFF, SFP, and XFP form factors; and new products for 40G and 100G coherent optical transmission systems.


Visit NeoPhotonics