Kotura unveils SFP-VOA

Kotura, Inc. has introduced a new version of its Ultra Variable Optical Attenuator Module in a pluggable small-form package (SFP-VOA). The variable optical attenuator contains an integrated optical power monitor function that provides feedback to the Ultra VOA in a control loop design.

Built using Kotura’s silicon photonics expertise, the Ultra VOA provides typical response times of less than 1 microsecond. It works over the 1525- to 1570-m C-Band range, providing an attenuation range of 0 to 25 dB. The company suggests such performance makes the Ultra VOA useful for such functions as signal modulation, transient suppression, and fast power control in agile WDM networks. The fact that the VOA has no moving parts improves its reliability; Ultra VOAs Kotura has produced have logged more than a billion device hours in the field, the company asserts (see, for example, "Kotura single channel VOA features sub-microsecond response time").

The module implements the control loop and feedback circuit using a 5% tap and photodetector.

"Customers like the option of an industry-standard pluggable package," said Xavier Clairardin, vice president of product marketing at Kotura. "Our Ultra VOAs are already among the most widely used in the industry. The 20-pin SFP package means that designers can better utilize board space by moving the attenuation function to the front panel. Our new product meets the growing trend towards pluggable optics in telecommunications equipment designs."

The SFP-VOA has lead times of 8-10 weeks for quantities of up to 100.

For more information on attenuators and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.