100Gbit/s regenerator fabricated for optical nets

CIP Technologies has released a new 100Gbit/s version of its all-optical 2R (re-amplification and reshaping) regenerator for optical networking applications.

Based on CIP Technologies' HyBoard hybrid platform, the new device is fabricated from an integrated combination of an array of the company's' nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA-XN) and planar silica Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). This component combination extends the signal regeneration properties of the company's hybrid 2R device from data rates of 40Gbit/s to 100Gbit/s and retains multichannel capability.

Measuring 9cm x 3cm x 1cm, the device—100GXN-2R2-ORP—delivers a compact dual-channel building block for configuring advanced optical networking systems. It may be used for inline 2R regeneration of return to zero signals in high-speed, optical network applications.

The device also performs wavelength conversion, extending the flexibility for network system developers. Optical logic functions can even be implemented by the combination of components.

100GXN-2R2-ORP uses a combination of planar silica and indium phosphide component technologies to achieve optimal performance. The two types of component functions used are planar single-mode waveguides with splitter/combiner elements configured to create a balanced MZI and a monolithically integrated array of four nonlinear SOA-XNs. Hybrid integration (using the best component technologies for each function) ensures low intra-device excess losses and high optical gain.

Special interface characteristics on both component types, combined with a unique precision alignment technique, additionally allow the 2R regenerator devices to be assembled without active alignment. This makes the finished component highly amenable to economic volume production.

The low-loss assembly technique and the improved performance of the SOA-XN also allow the device to be switched with lower input optical powers than were possible previously, facilitating simpler high-speed experimentation. CIP is also able to provide custom versions of the device, including versions with integrated push-pull time delays and all-optical XOR logic gates.

- Henri Arnold
EE Times Europe