NeoPhotonics debuts L-Band coherent optics component line

March 19, 2020

These L-Band components also are available in “C++” versions, which support tuning across the full “Super C-Band” covering 6.0 THz of spectrum.

Stephen Hardy

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NeoPhotonics Corp. (NYSE: NPTN) has unveiled a suite of L-Band coherent optical components. The collection includes a 64-GBaud L-Band High Bandwidth Coherent Driver Modulator (HB-CDM), 64-GBaud L-Band Intradyne Coherent Receiver (ICR), and ultra-narrow linewidth L-Band tunable laser Micro-ITLA.

With network operators looking to leverage as much capacity as possible in the fiber-optic networks, use of the L-Band, centering around 1550-nm, to complement the standard C-Band is becoming an attractive option, the company points out. NeoPhotonics says its new line of 64-Gbaud L-Band coherent components and tunable lasers will support transmission of single-channel 600G transmissions over data center interconnect (DCI) distances of approximately 80 km via 64 QAM. The components also can be used to transmit 400G over metro distances of 400-600 km using 64 GBaud and 16 QAM as well as 200G over long-haul distances of greater than 1000 km using 64 GBaud and QPSK.

Details of the L-Band line include:

The L-Band external cavity (ECL) micro-ITLA uses the same laser architecture as the company’s C-Band laser to produce an optical signal with what NeoPhotonics describes as an ultra-narrow linewidth and very low phase noise.
The 64-Gbaud L-Band HB-CDM co-packages an Indium Phosphide based Mach-Zehnder quadrature modulator chip with a linear, quad-channel, differential 64-GBaud driver. Both the C-Band and L-Band versions of the HB-CDM are designed to be compliant to the OIF-HB-CDM-01.0 Implementation Agreement.
The 64-Gbaud L-Band Micro-ICR enables four output channels at 64 GBaud via an integrated co-mixer chip and four balanced photodiodes with four differential linear amplifiers. The form factor of the coherent receiver is designed to be compliant with OIF-DPC-MRX-02.0.

These L-Band components also are available in “C++” versions, which support tuning across the full “Super C-Band” covering 6.0 THz of spectrum, which is up to 50% more than standard systems, says NeoPhotonics. The C++ components can support 80 channels at 75-GHz channel spacing.

"Our ultra-pure tunable laser design and our high-performance coherent modulator and receiver designs are very flexible and excel in different spectral regimes to provide the highest speed over distance performance," commented Tim Jenks, chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics.

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.