Optical components, modules and subsystems

A live demonstration of the ability of Lamda's LambdaFLEX tunable transmitter assembly (TTA) to operate within the metro and long haul application space is to be given at OFC/NFOEC 2007.

Bookham, a provider of optical components, modules and subsystems, is to give a live demonstration of the ability of its LambdaFLEX tunable transmitter assembly (TTA) and tunable small form factor transponder (TSFF) to operate within the metro and long haul application space at OFC/NFOEC 2007.

The live demonstration, believed to be the first of its kind with these form factors, will show the products' ability to work in a noise-loaded environment, a key metric for understanding product capability across the optical transport application space.

"Both products are based on the Bookham InP Mach-Zehnder modulator technology, which has dominated the regional and metro applications spaces for over 10 years," said Adam Price, Director of Product Line Management.

"We have further developed this proven foundation to provide full-band tunability within a small form-factor, demonstrating a long-haul performance capability only previously achievable with large format transponders and discrete components.

At OFC we will demonstrate that our next-generation products perform to extremely high standards under conditions representative of actual systems.

The more usual demonstrations of transmission distance and dispersion penalty figures of new modulators and transponders can be very misleading as they are normally carried out under very low noise conditions.

This often does not represent the performance the end customer will see.

The TTA integrates the Bookham LambdaFLEX Tunable Compact MZ onto an iTLA-sized module platform - a footprint significantly smaller than that offered by a continuous wave laser and external modulator.

This features an industry standard iTLA interface and command set.

Based on the Telcordia-qualified LambdaFLEX DS-DBR laser, the product has extremely fast wavelength tuning and power switching capability, and has full C and L band capability.

The TSFF pairs the Tunable Compact MZ with Bookham Telcordia-qualified APD receivers.

Based on a 300pin MSA SFF standard, the product integrates optics and electronics into a 76mm x 56mm package.

While previous SFF transponders focussed on intermediate reach point-to-point links, the Bookham TSFF expands this capability with a negative chirp option for regional and metro applications and a zero chirp option for multispan long haul applications where low OSNR conditions are common.

The TSFF can operate up to 11.3Gb/s and has best-in-class low power dissipation (typically <7W).

Unlike competing technologies, the Bookham LambdaFLEXTM tunable laser portfolio is built upon a single InP optical chip platform.

This platform, which has no moving parts, is protected by US patent (US7145923).

The technology ensures excellent reliability, comparable to that offered by legacy DFB lasers.

It also brings cost-effective wideband tunability to long haul and regional metro applications.

The Bookham InP MZ chip has been produced in volume and deployed around the world for over 10 years.

Bookham is engauged with a number of Tier 1 system vendors for the supply of the TTA and TSFF.

Both products will be fully commercially available in the first half of 2007.

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