Finisar shows off CFP4 optical transceiver at ECOC

Finisar Corp. (NASDAQ: FNSR) has made a demonstration of a 100GBase-SR4 CFP4 optical transceiver the centerpiece of its stand at the 2013 European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) here this week in London. The SR4 uses the company’s 25-Gbps vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) to transmit an aggregate 100 Gbps up to 100 m via four channels of 25G each.

The optical components, modules, and subsystems supplier asserts the demonstration is an industry first.

The demonstration shows two 100 Gigabit Ethernet CFP4 optical modules interoperating error-free over multimode fiber. The module is designed to operate with a maximum power dissipation of 3.5 W (3 W typical), well under the CFP4’s maximum power threshold of 6 W. The 4x25G VCSEL array at the heart of the device conforms to the emerging 100GBase-SR4 IEEE standard, Finisar says. The module also supports OTU4 applications (i.e., 4x28G multimode).

The device will begin sampling by the end of the year, with production expected in the second half of 2014, said sources at the Finisar stand.

Elsewhere on the stand, Finisar is demonstrating a 40-km QSFP+ module for 40GBase-ER4 applications. Based on uncooled CWDM DFB lasers, the 40G QSFP+ ER4 module will be ready for sampling in early 2014. The company also has a tunable DWDM SFP+ module on display for applications ranging from 8G Fibre Channel to 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The module is MSA compliant (including standard length) and supports SBS suppression technology. Finisar has begun shipping samples; company sources declined to discuss production availability.

Finally Finisar also has unveiled the WaveAnalyzer 1500S High-Resolution Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA). The system performs modulation analysis on optical signals as well as provides rapid feedback for modulator bias and polarization adjustments. Finisar asserts the WaveAnalyzer is the fastest product in its class, offers real-time measurements with high resolution in a compact form factor, and costs about one-third the price of competitive products. It should be available for shipping later this year.

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