Components and Subsystems

VI Systems, a German developer of high-speed optical components for datacom, has introduced the A50-300C90, an optical modulator driver IC that supports data rates of up to 56Gb/s with non-return-to zero (NRZ) modulation.

The target applications are silicon photonics and integrated optoelectronic devices for short- and medium-reach data transmission in data centres and high-performance computing. Serial data rates based on 56Gb/s are being developed to support emerging architectures using Common Electrical Standard (CEI-56G) interfaces, 64G Fibre Channel and proprietary products.

VI Systems, a specialist in ultra-high speed optical components for datacom networks, has introduced the A50-150C driver integrated circuit suitable for driving vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) at speeds of up to 54Gb/s in the non-return-to-zero (NRZ) modulation format.

The target applications are short-reach optical interconnects for data centre and high-performance computing applications. The chip could enable a future generation of optical interfaces based on directly modulated high-speed VCSELs using 50Gb/s signalling on each lane.

Aerotech has released FibreMaxHP, a second-generation three-to-six axis photonics alignment platform designed for easy fibre-to-fibre or fibre-to-chip alignment in an automated production environment. This reliable drive and control technology ensures years of maintenance-free service in a high-throughput manufacturing environment, the company claims.

Semiconductor supplier M/A-COM Technology Solutions has introduced the MAOM-006428, a 64GBd quad-channel linear Mach-Zehnder modulator driver. This device will support data rates of 400Gb/s and beyond on a single wavelength for long-haul communications using coherent technology.

II‐VI Photonics, a provider of pump laser modules for terrestrial and submarine optical networks, has announced the general availability of its high-power, 2 x 810mW, dual 980nm pump laser module.

The new dual-chip, dual-output, pump laser modules enable designers to replace two laser modules with one. Housed within the compact 10-pin mini-butterfly package, they consume less electrical power, generate less heat and enable significant reductions in the size of high-performance, multi-stage optical amplifier designs. 

ProLabs, a provider of compatible network connectivity products, has launched of a new range of optical transceivers that are designed to work with Cisco, Juniper and Arista platforms.

Whilst the functionality is similar to other optical transceivers, the EEPROM code that is loaded into a ProLabs multicode transceiver is compatible with three vendors instead of just one.

Scottish company Optoscribe has added an ultra-low crosstalk option to its 3D Optofan series of multicore fibre fanout cables.

Designed for applications in the field of spatial division multiplexing (SDM), these cables connect the multiple cores in a multi-core fibres to separate singlemode fibres. They are a key component in the development of such systems, which offer the potential for extremely high data rates.

Menara Networks has started volume shipments of its flagship 100G CFP pluggable optical module using direct detection for metro and data centre interconnection.

Menara’s 100G CFP module is based on the dispersion-tolerant optical duo-binary modulation format (ODB), which provides extended reach of up to 300km. This technology allows existing 10G DWDM infrastructure to be upgraded to 100G without the prohibitive cost, footprint and power of a coherent solution, the company says.

Semiconductor products supplier M/A-COM Technology Solutions has announced the new wideband MAOM-003427, a quad-channel linear modulator driver with 46-Gbaud capability to support next generation 200G and 400G applications.

This addition to MACOM’s extensive portfolio of driver solutions for optical infrastructure enables system designers to address higher baud rate applications with lower-cost surface mount technology.

Having demonstrated a 40G version back at OFC in March, Finisar used ECOC 2015 to show off the world’s first 100G QSFP28 SWDM4 module operating over multimode fibre.