Lucent Technologies introduces new L-band fiber amplifier module to double the bandwidth availability in optical networks
Company positioned to lead as a world supplier of optical amplifiers
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) Microelectronics Group today introduced a high-power, flat-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) module that operates at an extended wavelength transmission window of optical fibers - referred to as L-band. The L-band window will allow system manufacturers to double the bandwidth capacity of high-speed optical transport communications networks. The new L-band EDFA positions Lucent as a forerunner in enabling an emerging transmission window that allows even more bandwidth for dense-wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems. This latest product offering further enhances Lucent s leadership position as a world supplier of optical amplifiers. Operating at a record 25 dBm output power, the new EDFA has a gain flatness of less than 0.8 decibels (dB) over the L-band wavelength range, which is between 1570 nanometers (nm) and 1610 nm. This combination of high output power and low-gain flatness enables system engineers to design optical networks that transmit over even longer distances with more available channels than compared to existing solutions. EDFAs allow optical signals to be transmitted over very long distances without the need for signal regeneration particularly in DWDM systems. Until now, EDFAs could only operate sufficiently in a restricted wavelength range, called the C-band transmission window, which is between 1530 nm and 1565 nm. Lucent s latest L-band EDFAs can deliver overall higher performance and reliability than C-band devices based on an innovative low-cost, high-power EDFA design developed by Bell Labs. "We continue to see increasing output in optical amplifier sales that is growing faster than the market," said Conrad Burke, marketing director for optoelectronics components with Lucent s Microelectronics Group. "This growth rate reinforces Lucent s position as one of the leading manufacturers of optical amplifiers in the world." According to ElectroniCast, a market research firm based in San Mateo, Calif., Lucent s share of the worldwide market of EDFA modules was approximately 25 percent earlier this year. The firm estimates the global market for EDFA modules is approximately 65,000 units this year and is growing at an annual rate of 21 percent. "Lucent s latest EDFA offering will help accelerate the pace at which the industry approaches L-band, combined C- and L-band, and eventually S-band wavelengths in the near future, all in the never-ending pursuit for more bandwidth," said Stephen Montgomery, president of ElectroniCast. The demand for increasing bandwidth, primarily caused by the tremendous growth of the Internet, is driving the rapid deployment of optical amplifiers. To stay ahead of industry demands, Lucent has recently made several investments to its optoelectronic components operation. Last year, the company announced the opening of a European EDFA design center based in Ascot, England. This year, Lucent announced a $30 million expansion of its optoelectronics components business headquartered in Breinigsville, Pa., which will also include the establishment of a dedicated facility for the design, development and manufacturing of optical amplifiers. Lucent s complete portfolio of optoelectronic components include analog and digital lasers, photodetectors, transceivers and fiber amplifiers in the telecommunications, CATV, data communications, and undersea markets. Samples of the L-band EDFA are available now and full production is expected in early 2000.
Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronics components. Bell Laboratories is the research and development arm for the company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit its Web site at www.lucent.com. Lucent s Microelectronics Group designs and manufactures integrated circuits and optoelectronic components for the computer and communications industries. More information about the Microelectronics Group is available from its Web site at www.lucent.com/micro.
Web site: http://www.lucent.com/micro
