Oclaro's 100G coherent MSA module enters volume production

Oclaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLR) says it will enter volume production for its 100-Gbps DP-QPSK MSA transceiver module, the OTM-100, by the end of the month. Measuring 5x7 inches, the compact MSA-compliant module will help to reduce the cost and speed up time to market for customers developing 100G systems, the company claims. The OTM-100 is built on the platform developed by Opnext, which completed its merger with Oclaro about six weeks ago (see “Oclaro, Opnext merger completed”). 100G modules were one of the few areas of product overlap in the two companies. “When we merged both Oclaro and Opnext had 100G modules they were working on. We consolidated that into one module that we’re taking to market,” explained Per Hanson, vice president of Oclaro’s optical networking business unit. (For more, see "New Oclaro sets course.") The Opnext module was more advanced, being based on second-generation coherent DSP technology. It had also been put through its paces in a record-breaking 3300-km transmission distance on SURFnet’s DWDM fiber infrastructure in Europe (see “SURFnet trials Opnext 100-Gbps subsystem over 3300 km”). Oclaro says it has already shipped more than a hundred OTM-100 coherent MSA transceiver modules for system integration and testing with customers located throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. This highlights the growing momentum of 100G in optical networks. According to Infonetics Research, this rapidly expanding market segment is projected to grow more than tenfold over the next three years. Oclaro points out that high-bit-rate coherent transceivers, such as the 100-Gbps OTM-100 transceiver, offer capital as well as operational efficiencies through, for example, plug-and-play adaption to the fiber infrastructure characteristics and native transport of high-bit-rate signals. Jim Haynes, president of global business at Oclaro, added, “The module is designed for rapid and easy system integration to enable our customers to bring 100 Gbps products to market fast and cost-efficiently. These strengths are clearly being validated by the industry as we continue winning new customers for the OTM-100 across the globe.” In a separate conversation with Lightwave Editorial Director Stephen Hardy, Hansen acknowledged that in addition to the OTM-100, Opnext had shipped 100-Gbps line cards to certain customers. Hansen said Oclaro will continue to support these customers, classifying the line card as a custom product rather than a standard offering going forward. Oclaro will be showcasing the OTM-100 module along with its complete line of 100-Gbps components and other high-bit-rate products on stand #444 at the upcoming ECOC Exhibition from September 17 to 19 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. For more information on optical transceivers and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.