IPG enhances long-haul optical amplifier portfolio

IPG Photonics Corp. (NASDAQ: IPGP) says it has expanded its optical amplification and transmission portfolio aimed at non-repeatered ultra-long haul communication links in DWDM, electrical power utility, transportation, pipeline and other demanding applications. IPG develops and manufactures specialty components used in the optical amplification portfolio, including semiconductor diodes, active fibers, and other high-power components.

IPG offers a range of optical amplification technologies, including second-order, Raman-assisted, remote optically-pumped amplifier (ROPA) optical pumps that enable unrepeatered transmission extending over 100 dB of optical budget. IPG claims that its proprietary pumping technology enables the highest output power at a cost point not achievable from other products.

One of the new products now shipping is the multi-rate transponder with G.709 FEC and a unique digital filtering scheme which extends the optical budget for telemetry links by up to 10 dB. When the transponder is paired with the pre-amp and booster module, it supports up to 70 dB of optical budget for mission-critical STM 1/4 telemetry links in electric power utility, transportation, and pipeline communication networks.

IPG has also introduced a standalone pre-amp and booster chassis to support up to 60 dB of optical budget for legacy, third-party optical transmission platforms. A 200-mW booster amplifier is paired with a pre-amp with –38 dBm receive sensitivity in a small 1RU (1.75-inch or 43.7-mm vertical rack space) package that mounts in a 19-inch (478 mm) equipment rack.

IPG started commercial shipments of these products in the fourth quarter of 2011 to companies that engineer and install power transmission and other utility infrastructure. In the second half of 2012, IPG will release a 2RU version of the ultra-long-haul system, which has four plug-in card slots to accommodate a transponder, pre-amp/booster, Raman signal pump, and ROPA pump. This compact configuration can support up to 90 dB of optical budget.

The company will be show-casing these products at the OFC/NFOEC Exhibition, booth #2109, March 6-8, 2012.

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