SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 -- Santur Corp. (search for Santur) will demonstrate 100-Gbit/sec transmitters and receivers based on indium phosphide (InP) laser and detector arrays this week at the European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC 2008) in Brussels, Belgium.
These devices are based on a transmitter that integrates a Distributed Feedback (DFB) laser array with a matched Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) multiplexer, and a receiver that integrates a photodiode array with a matched PLC demultiplexer. According to the company, the high level of integration eliminates the need for multiple single-channel discrete devices and fiber couplings found in traditional photonic components. Unlike parallel 10x10-Gbit/sec technologies based on ribbons of multimode fiber (MMF), the Santur transmitters and receivers operate over one conventional singlemode fiber (SMF) with longer reach. Compared to other 100-Gbit/sec SMF optic links, the demonstrated technology does not require complex modulation schemes or gearbox ICs for conversion to intermediate 25-Gbit/sec lanes, says the company.
As a result of its focus on integrated InP devices, Santur says it has a very significant leadership position in the tunable laser market. Currently, there are nearly 200,000 Santur tunable lasers based on integrated laser arrays deployed in long-haul and metro networks around the world. The ability to make low-cost devices in array form allows Santur to develop a robust Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) platform that delivers from 40 Gbits/sec to 400 Gbits/sec. Integrated photonic devices, like those shown in this demonstration, deliver the value of photonic integration, including increased density, lower cost, reduced power consumption, and enhanced reliability to system integrators.
Based on 10 electrical lanes operating at 10.3 Gbits/sec, the live demonstration showcases the WDM transmission of 100-Gbit/sec protocol-compliant data streams over up to 10 km of SMF. The technology simplifies the upgrade of 10-Gbit/sec channels in access networks and enterprise core networks and addresses fiber exhaustion in data centers.
"The economics of integrating multiple optical devices onto a single chip gives us very significant opportunities to continue to drive performance while keeping cost down," explains Bardia Pezeshki, CTO of Santur. "This solution is optimized to address the near-term need for higher data rates for a wide variety of high growth applications."
In addition to the live demonstration of 100-Gbit/sec Photonic Integrated Circuit technology, Santur will be showcasing its portfolio of devices, including narrow linewidth tunable lasers for 40G and 100G networks and highly integrated low profile tunable transmitters. Santur representatives will be at ECOC booth M9 from September 22-24, 2008.
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