14 March 2003 -- NEC Corporation has integrated Freemont, CA, US-based Genoa's second-generation, single-chip linear optical amplifier into a new 10Gbit/s optical transponder module for network applications.
The transponder, which allows long reach applications to 80km is also being announced today. Its enabling technology is the G231, the previously unannounced version of Genoa's linear optical amplifier. This is available to optical device OEMs in a chip-on-submount configuration, rather than as a packaged part.
The G231 amplifier, which on its submount is comparable in size to a grain of rice, also features a doubling in output power over first generation LOAs.
The form factor and optical power permits OEMs such as NEC to offer unprecedented performance and significantly improved pricing. Yoshihiro Uda, assistant general manager of NEC's fibre-optic device division, says Genoa's OEM-focused G231 LOA has enabled NEC to "increase its market leadership position in optical transponder modules".
"Our 10 gigabit EML has the highest power ever available in such a part by 10dB," said Uda. "Not only does that enable us to offer long-reach transponders capable of 80km, but also to do so with 20% less power consumption, 50% smaller size, and a drastic cost reduction. This would not have been possible without a truly linear optical amplifier chip capable of being directly integrated into our modules."
"For some time now, Genoa has been taking an aggressive posture in the integration of LOA chips directly into what we see as a burgeoning market of highly-integrated, high performance optical components," said Jim Witham, Genoa vice president of marketing and sales.
"Significant performance enhancements, a chip-on-submount delivery strategy, and a corporate focus on developing strong OEM partnerships have begun to bear fruit, as today's announcement shows." According to an April 2002 RHK market forecast, the market for long-reach 10 gigabit transponders alone will reach $359 million by 2005. "But this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Witham.
"Any optical module that can benefit from gain directly integrated is a candidate for the G231."
The Genoa G231 Linear Optical Amplifier is available immediately to original equipment manufacturers in a chip on submount configuration. The tiny device, 5mm x 1mm x .5mm, offers 13dBm output power and accommodates data rates up to and beyond 40 Gbit/s. As with all linear optical amplifiers, it handles any data rate and multiple wavelengths without crosstalk, and operates in switched networks without gain transients.