NEC extends 10Gbps XFP transceiver reach to 160km

NEC Corp. demonstrated an extended-reach 10Gbps XFP transceiver for 160km links without dispersion compensation.

The transceiver leverages NEC's Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) technologies with AZNA's extended-reach Chirp Managed Laser (CML) technology for a potentially low cost, compact transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA). The transceiver also addresses the demand for high density pluggable optics and eliminates the need for dispersion compensation in 2.5- to 10Gbps upgrades.

NEC and AZNA also demonstrated a compact PLC-based CML TOSA, which allows further miniaturization of AZNA's CML transmitters. The CML uses a standard DFB laser and a passive optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) filter to achieve extended reach. NEC has developed a PLC-based OSR which can replace the current bulk version of the OSR used in AZNA products. The PLC-based CML reduces parts count and allows passive optical alignment, which allows mass production leading to a lower cost.