The Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc., has introduced a series of eight low-cost, uncooled distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes that are capable of increasing data communication up to speeds of 10 Gbits/sec in metropolitan area networks.
The uncooled design allows these coarse WDM (CWDM) laser diodes to operate without the need for a temperature-control apparatus, resulting in devices that cost less, consume less power, and have a smaller mounting size than cooled devices, according to the company.
With the new CWDM DFB laser diodes, customers can achieve 10-Gbits/sec performance by multiplexing eight wavelengths, each with a 1.25-Gbit/sec data transmission rate, spaced at 20-nm intervals throughout the 1470- to 1610-nm range.
The ML9XX11 is a series of three DFB laser diodes operating in the C-band wavelengths of 1510 nm, 1530 nm, and 1550 nm. The new ML9XX16 is a series of two DFB laser diodes operating in the S-band wavelengths of 1470 nm and 1490 nm. The ML9XX22 series of three DFB laser diodes cover the L-band wavelengths of 1570 nm, 1590 nm, and 1610 nm. Data transmission rates vary from a maximum of 1.25 Gbits/sec when using one laser diode to a maximum of 10 Gbits/sec when multiplexing eight laser diodes throughout the entire 1470- to 1610-nm range.
Operating in a temperature range of 0 to 85 degrees Celsius, the ML9XX11, ML9XX16, and ML9XX22 feature a typical threshold current of 10 mA, a typical operating current of 30 mA (at 5 mW of output power at 25 degrees Celsius), a typical side-mode suppression ratio of 40 decibels, and a response time of 0.2 nsec.
Samples of the ML9XX11, ML9XX16, and ML9XX22 families of DFB laser diodes will be available in December 2001, with volume production scheduled for January 2002. Sample pricing is as follows:
- ML9XX16 - 1470nm - $225
- ML9XX16 - 1490nm - $225
- ML9XX11 - 1510nm - $167
- ML9XX11 - 1530nm - $167
- ML9XX11 - 1550nm - $167
- ML9XX22 - 1570nm - $167
- ML9XX22 - 1590nm - $225
- ML9XX22 - 1610nm - $225
Additional information on the Mitsubishi Electric Semiconductor Group is available at www.mitsubishichips.com.