March 2, 2006 Newark, CA -- Lightconnect , a supplier of MEMS optical components, has introduced a variable optical attenuator with polarization maintaining fiber for power control and receiver protection in next generation optical networks. The company says its FVOA5200 features outstanding reliability and uses the same compact package as the company's Lightconnect FVOA5000, a MEMS VOA which has passed over 5000 hours of damp heat testing, according to the company.
The company says its FVOA5200 offers exceptional optical performance, low insertion loss, and high extinction ratio. The VOA is available with Panda 250 micron, Panda 400 micron fiber, or similar fiber. It has a dynamic range greater than 50 dB (typical), with either normally bright or dark configurations. The device measures 5.4 x 18-mm and consumes less than 0.5 mW of electrical power.
The company says the new VOA builds on its portfolio of attenuators, including the FVOA2000, FVOA3000, FVOA4000, and FVOA5000, which are shipping in volumes. The company says its proprietary MEMS technology passes both in-situ and ex-situ shock and vibration tests; the device is protected from ESD damage up to 2000 V. Further, the company says the device's hermetic package provides a long and stable life, even in harsh operating conditions.
"Lightconnect is already the number one supplier of VOAs in the world," comments Matthew Heydinger, director of marketing at Lightconnect. "We are investing in R&D to provide solutions to our customers, now and in the future. The FVOA5200 is ideal for any new system that requires polarization maintaining VOAs."
The company has also introduced a new, smaller 8-channel VOA module. With dimensions of 48 x 39 x 8.6-mm size, the company says this module has a 30% smaller footprint and almost 50% smaller volume than the previous version. This module is available with standard SMF-28e fiber, or with polarization maintaining fiber, and can be easily adapted to 5, 7, 9 or 10 channel configurations.
"The previous 8-channel module quickly became the industry standard. This module is a smaller version with better performance and higher reliability than PLC-based VOAs," explains Heydinger. "Moreover, with Lightconnect's aggressive pricing, it is a much better value."
Lightconnect will showcase its optical MEMS portfolio at next week's OFC/NFOEC 2006 conference in Anaheim, CA.