Analyser lines up for high-speed networks
The N4373A Lightwave Component Analyzer "sets a new benchmark in optimized frequency-response characterization of key components for high-speed networks". That's the claim of US manufacturer Agilent Technologies. The N4373A offers NIST-traceable optical-electrical conversion and covers wavelengths of 850 nm (multimode), 1310 and 1550 nm (singlemode). The analyser is suitable for use with a wide range of components, including laser drivers, amplifiers, lasers, transmitters, optical modulators and photodiodes, as well as passive optical devices. The N4373A LCA is available from $80,000.
www.agilent.com
Stand: 247
Transmission gratings boast highest stability
Ibsen Photonics of Denmark says that its proprietary processing technology enables the manufacture of transmission gratings at the same prices as reflection gratings, but with superior features and specifications. The use of 100% fused silica provides excellent thermal and environmental stability, as well as unbeatable energy and power-damage handling capacity, from UV to near-IR wavelengths. Resolutions of up to 5000 lines/mm are avilable. The gratings are holographically produced in a Class-10 clean-room environment and reactive-ion etched into pure fused silica. Suggested applications include use in mux/demuxes and tunable lasers.
www.ibsenphotonics.com
Stand: 243
Optical receivers can boost the sensitivity
Discovery Semiconductors has introduced 2.5 and 10 Gbit/s optical coherent receiver systems that can detect multiple wavelengths and multiple modulation formats in a single platform. According to the US manufacturer, the systems provide superior sensitivity compared with erbium-doped fibre-amplifier-based direct detection, for both fibre and free-space applications in the C- and L-bands. The units are also suitable for use at other wavelengths, including 980, 1064 and 1310 nm, as well as the S-band.
www.chipsat.com
Stand: 112
OSA ramps dynamic range and resolution
Aragón Photonics of Spain has enhanced its high-resolution BOSA optical spectrum analyser. The BOSA-C covers the entire C-band, with L-band coverage available on request. With a resolution of 0.08 pm (10 MHz) and an extended dynamic range of 80 dB, the BOSA-C enables measurement across the complete band, offering excellent resolution and dynamic range simultaneously.
Aragón's proprietary all-optical technology removes the need for electrical conversion and filtering, enabling the BOSA to perform real-time measurements. Enhanced software records screenshots, as well as short videos that display the dynamic evolution of components and systems in real-time. An automated chirp measurement (α-parameter) application is available as a software upgrade in the autumn.
www.aragonphotonics.com
Stand: 413/414
Mux/demux now tunes across C- and L-bands
French optical-component maker Kylia has released a tunable version of its MICS mux/demux products. The tunable MICS delivers 20 channels across the C- and
L-bands, with a channel spacing of 25-50 GHz (T-Mics-20/25-50) or 50-100 GHz (T-Mics-20/50-100). According to the data sheet, other parameters include adjacent channel crosstalk of 30 dB; cumulative crosstalk of 25 dB; return loss of 30 dB; polarization-dependent loss of 0.5 dB; and channel insertion loss of 6 (20/25-50) or 5 dB (20/50-100). Suggested applications include transmission experiments and tunable filtering.
www.kylia.com
Stand: 299, 341
Optical switch claims to be fastest available
US optical-switch specialist Nozomi Photonics claims that its 1 × 8 optical switch is the fastest available in the industry. Based on the firm's unique (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O3 (PLZT) technology, the high-speed switch features rise and fall times of below 10 ns, as well as 10 mW power consumption. Nozomi says that the switch is designed to improve the optical performance of existing systems, and is also suited to emerging applications such as optical packet switching, high-speed protection, switched delay lines and high-speed interconnections.
www.nozomiphotonics.com
Stand: 333
Signal detector made for fibre installations
Fujikura Europe's optical fibre identifier, the FID-20, is an easy-to-use, handheld data detector for installing and maintaining fibre links. The noninvasive tool detects optical signals in singlemode fibre in real time, by macrobending the fibre and detecting the light leak with photosensors. Fujikura says that this method saves time and money compared with conventional systems.
Suitable for use with 0.25 and 0.9 mm coated fibre, fibre cord of up to 3 mm and ribbon cable with up to 12 fibres, the FID-20's optical power meter detects
1310 or 1550 nm signals with an accuracy of ±0.3 dB. The unit has an LCD display and LED indicators that show the presence of a signal and its traffic direction. The FID-20 series is available in two versions: with (FID-20R) and without (FID-21R) the optical power meter.
www.fujikura.co.uk
Stand: 398/423
Bidirectional loss test set focuses on CWDM
UK optical comms supplier Fibre Technologies is showcasing the Kingfisher KI 7340A series CWDM two-way tester. The instrument tests optical attenuation and return loss in real time, in two directions and at four different wavelengths. The KI 7340A is suitable for automated testing of optical loss, optical return loss and optical power levels in high-fibre-count local-area networks and fibre-to-the-home applications. It can also perform live/fail testing, with all reports stored on the handsets for easy reviewing. By using CWDM-compliant lasers the power-meter section is calibrated to 2% accuracy at all wavelengths. Additional features include up to 190 hours battery life and a large, easy-to-read display, as well as drop-protected interchangeable connectors and a rugged exterior.
www.fibre.co.uk
Stand: 270
High-power amplifiers target cable television
Keopsys has launched a range of high-power optical fibre amplifiers based on uncooled pumping technology. Targeted for cable TV applications, the amplifiers deliver an output power of 33 dBm via up to 16 fibre ports. The French manufacturer says that excellent port-to-port uniformity (less than 1.2 dB asymmetry between output ports) allows cable TV providers to service larger networks with substantial cost savings.
The fibre amplifiers offer a power consumption of less than 45 W and are operated with a DC voltage as low as 5 V. Based on efficient double-clad fibres, the 240 × 170 × 38 mm devices also boast a low noise figure (below 6 at 0 dBm input level), while preserving the quality of the analogue signal transmission. The amplifiers are now available with integrated power splitters and configured with 16 × 20 dBm output ports.
www.keopsys.com
Stand: 458
Pulse analyser offers fast characterization
The EG150 pulse analyser from Southern Photonics of New Zealand can determine the amplitude and phase characteristics of an optical pulse train in real time. The unit measures pulses with a FWHM of 800 fs to 20 ps, over a spectral range of 1520-1565 nm, and produces complete pulse characterization at a 5-10 Hz update rate. The unit can accept pulses of any multiple of 10 GHz, requires an RF reference for optical pulses and is coupled to a PC via a USB interface. Southern Photonics says that its proprietary software package enables rapid and easy optimization of systems and sources.
www.southernphotonics.com
Stand: 77
Fibre-optic polarizers are 'world's smallest'
FiberLogix of the UK claims that its inline polarization-maintaining (PM) fibre-optic polarizer is the smallest in the world. Featuring a steel tube just 35 mm in length and 2.6 mm in diameter, the devices are made by direct polishing of PM Panda fibre. The PM polarizer offers a high extinction ratio (more than 35 dB), low insertion loss (below 0.5 dB), flat wavelength response over its entire range (1290-1625 nm) and near-zero back-reflection (less than -70 dB).
www.fiberlogix.com
Stand: 330
• This article originally appeared in FibreSystems Europe in association with LIGHTWAVE Europe September 2005 p47.