Optical transceiver and module supplier Champion ONE has received a U.S. patent for its uTune Director. The patent, No. 9,391,706, covers the technology the device uses to tune and lock the wavelengths of SFP+ and XFP DWDM optical transceivers to specific ITU channels outside of a network switch.
Champion ONE introduced the uTune Director in 2009 to tune XFP modules (see "Champion ONE uTune Director locks tunable XFP channels" for a 2012 description). The company then added SFP+ capabilities and relaunched the product in 2014. It achieved Elite Score status in the 2015 Lightwave Innovation Reviews (see "Champion ONE uTune Director").
The device tunes and locks transceivers to the desired wavelength in less than a minute, according to the company. Use of tunable transceivers can reduce inventory requirements and lead times for network operators, Champion ONE points out. A regional operator of a 20-channel DWDM network could save $100,000 or more in sparing costs annually with tunable optics, the company estimates.
"Champion ONE has a strong track record of product innovation and will continue to build our patent portfolio through our expanded investment in new technologies and applications" said John Jutila, CEO of Champion ONE. "This patent recognizing our invention of a standalone device for tuning and locking SFP+ and XFP DWDM transceivers further demonstrates our growing market leadership."
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