19 September 2003 Newark, CA Lightwave -- Lightconnect has announced a new compact variable optical attenuator (VOA) that it claims exceeds the industry's requirements for optical performance, size, and electrical drive. Applications for the component include power control and equalization, receiver and channel protection, on/off switching, mux/demux, and OADM modules.
With only 5.4-mm diameter and 18-mm length, the Fast VOA 5000 is the smallest VOA available, say company representatives. The electrical drive requires only 0- to 5-V control with little power consumption, which makes electrical control simple and compatible with existing designs. The optical specifications easily meet or exceed industry standard requirements, including 0.8-dB max insertion loss and 40-dB min attenuation range.
Unlike many liquid crystal VOAs, the Fast VOA 5000 does not need temperature compensation and offers superior PDL performance. It is available in either bright configuration or dark, which makes it suitable for almost any optical network application.
In addition, the Fast VOA 5000 easily drops into any optical network application that already uses MEMS-based or liquid crystal VOAs. It is a true multi-source solution for VOAs.
The Fast VOA 5000 is designed for both Telcordia GR-1221 and GR-1209. The MEMS element is stiff to easily withstand the most severe mechanical shock and vibration. Furthermore, it is hermetically sealed with no epoxy in the light path for extra long life.
Evaluation samples are shipping now and production quantities will be available in the first quarter of 2004.