Picolight and Zarlink launch new parallel optical modules
Picolight has expanded its MAGNUS(TM) product family of parallel optical interconnects with a 10 Gbit/s OC-192 12-channel parallel transponder. This adds to Picolight s 12-channel 2.7 Gbit/s parallel optical design, which entered volume production last August.
The new MAGNUS OC-192/STM64 VSR4-1 transponder supports the latest very-short-reach (VSR) standards for 300 m links, in addition to the Optical Internetworking Forum s (OIF) OC-192 VSR Interface Implementation Agreement (OIF-VSR4-01.0) for parallel optic links over multimode fiber. The OIF VSR implementation agreement recognizes the existence of a very-short-reach sector of the SONET market and allows an alternative to traditional, expensive OC-192 SONET optics.
"The MAGNUS VSR4-1 transponder module makes it significantly easier and more economical to co-locate optical switches, core routers, aggregation equipment and custom high-speed data pipes in metropolitan-area data centers, points-of-presence and portal sites," said Tracy Earles, director of product management for Picolight. "The vast majority of OC-192 links are internal to the POP or CO, and are less than 600 meters. The VSR4 standard aligns physical-layer specifications to the requirements of these connections, enabling the industry to closely match the price, performance and power consumption to the application."
Picolight now offers both serial and parallel VSR solutions meeting various application requirements. The PL-LCM-00-543 OC-192 VSR4-1 parallel transponder module is currently sampling now and will enter volume production in the second calendar quarter of 2002. It employs the easy-to-integrate 300-pin ball grid array host connector and is priced below $1,000 in high OEM volumes.
Zarlink introduces low priced, 30 Gbit/s 12-channel parallel fiber modules
Zarlink Semiconductor has announced immediate availability of low priced, 30 Gbit/s 12-channel parallel fiber modules for VSR optical interconnects in high-bandwidth applications. The MFT62340A-J transmitter and the MFR62340A-J receiver offer the industry s widest range of channel data rates, from 155 Mbit/s to 2.5 Gbit/s per channel, for an aggregate bandwidth of 30 Gbit/s.
Zarlink s 623 family of parallel fiber modules delivers low cost and reliable performance. The modules utilize 850 nm oxide VCSELs and pin diode receivers with Zarlink s patented and unique self-alignment technology for coupling light to the fiber array. The next product in the 623 family, an ultra low-cost, 4-channel 10 Gbit/s transmit/receive pair, is expected to be launched in mid-2002.
"Our goal is to combine Zarlink s formidable optical and integrated circuit technologies to provide solutions that solve the bandwidth bottleneck for our customers," said Jitesh Vadhia, vice president and general manager, Optical and Analog division, Zarlink Semiconductor. "We have entered the 30 Gbit/s VSR market with high performance modules that are competitively priced for a wide variety of high bandwidth optical interconnect needs, in everything from communications to industrial applications."
The MFT62340A-J transmitter and the MFR62340A-J receiver are in volume production and available from stock. The modules are supplied in a 50-pin J-lead dual in-line package. Pricing starts at US$1100 per transmitter/receiver link. A full evaluation kit (part number MFEK6001-TC), including evaluation boards and a 10 meter connectorized test fiber, is available for US$2400.
Picolight
Lynn Watson
Tel: +1 303 530-3189
Zarlink
Michael Salter, Media Relations
Tel. +1 613 270-7115
Email: michael.salter@zarlink.com
Web: www.zarlink.com
E-mail: lynn.watson@picolight.com
Web site: http://www.picolight.com
