8 March 2011

Oclaro launches third-gen 40G PM-QPSK transponder, and samples 40G receiver and modulator for coherent modulation

At this week’s Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition/National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (OFC/NFOEC 2011) in Los Angeles (8–10 March), optical component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA is launching the MI 5000XM, its third-generation 40G PM-QPSK transponder, which features an integrated modulator, receiver and what is claimed to be the industry’s first single-chip application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) solution for enabling coherent detection.

The firm also announced the sampling of a new coherent receiver and 40G PM-QPSK modulator that enable users to build their own coherent-based transponders or line-cards for delivering higher performance and longer reach in fiber-optic networks.

There are three dominant 40G modulation formats generally used in networks currently: DPSK (differential phase-shift keying), DQPSK (differential quadrature phase-shift keying), and PM-QPSK (polarization-multiplexed quadrature phase-shift keying). Oclaro says that PM-QPSK, coupled with coherent detection and digital signal processing, provides a cost-effective way for optical signals to reach longer distances with compensation for large amounts of optical impairments such as chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion. The solution also provides a stepping stone to future 100G networks that will be based entirely on coherent detection.

Oclaro claims to be the leader in volume shipments of 40G DPSK line-side 300-pin transponders and is now the first firm to deliver a coherent transponder solution incorporating the MUX, A/D and DSP functions in a single ASIC chip (developed in partnership with mixed-signal IC design firm ClariPhy Communications Inc of Irvine, CA, in which Oclaro invested last May). Oclaro reckons that, along with its existing portfolio of components and modules, it has now established a leadership position in 40G high-bit-rate products and is well positioned to become the leading supplier for 100G deployments. In future, the firm will continue to deliver products for all 40G modulation formats, and will provide the flexibility of purchasing complete transponder solutions or individual components.

“The explosive growth of the Internet is driving an insatiable ‘need for speed’ in the core network — and this is where Oclaro is focused," says chief technology officer Andy Carter. “This third generation of 40G coherent solutions will allow service providers to deploy highly scalable and flexible future-proof architectures, and this is just the next step towards delivering the 100G speeds that will be required in the future,” he adds.

By extending its family of ‘plug-and-play’ transponder solutions, Oclaro says that it is offering rapid time to market with an optimized coherent solution. The MI 5000XM delivers what is claimed to be best-in-class OSNR (optical signal-to-noise ratio) performance, lowest power consumption and highest chromatic and polarization-mode dispersion tolerance in the industry. The transponder is designed to work in both dispersion-managed and unmanaged solutions and can support distances up to 3000km without dispersion compensation. The MI 5000XM (part of Oclaro’s plug-and play 40G portfolio) can be used directly on blades already designed for an Oclaro transponder module, and uses an industry-standard i2c command-set and provides fully autonomous set-up and control.

In addition, for companies wishing to build their own coherent transponders, Oclaro is now sampling a 40G coherent receiver and the new lithium niobate PM40 modulator, which is based on Oclaro’s PM100 modulator (launched last September to support 100Gb/s optical network applications) but is designed on a less complex chip technology to deliver much lower product costs.

The PM40 modulator and the 40G integrated receiver are currently sampling to customers, and general availability is planned for this summer. The MI 5000XM transponder will be sampling in April, with general availability planned for second-half 2011.

Tags: Oclaro 40G PM-QPSK transponder

Visit: www.oclaro.com

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