Lightwave articles from April 2003

Lightwave archives from April 2003

Long-wavelength VCSELs are slow to 'materialize'. (Technology).(vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers)
April 1, 2003... Despite the research and development efforts of numerous component vendors, startups, and universities, 1310-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have yet to emerge from the lab. Several companies have put their 1310-nm VCSEL...

Despite long-haul fiber decline, India remains strong market. (Markets).
April 1, 2003... India has emerged as the world's fourth largest fiber market behind Japan, the United States, and China, and despite a decline in long-haul (LH) fiber deployment beginning this year, the country will remain an important market for fiber and...

JetBlue Airways catches glimpse of 'invisible' optics. (Applications).
April 1, 2003... JetBlue Airways (Forrest Hills, NY), a four-year-old air carrier building a reputation for innovation and the use of new technologies, put free-space optics (FSO) to the test in solving the problem of relocating its corporate headquarters...

Tunable-laser applications in intelligent optical networks. (Online).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Due to ever-increasing data requirements, network carriers must find a way to upgrade networks while driving down costs--and they must do it fast, before demand for data services overtakes their capabilities to deliver. Tunable lasers have...

Source of good measurements. (Online).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Fiber-optic equipment requires reliable testing. The most versatile and widely used sources in test and measurement equipment are tunable lasers. The tunable-laser source (TLS) must not impose limits on what can be measured, however. There is...

Pragmatic roadmap to the new optical core. (Online).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Transparent core networking could save significant amounts of capital and operational expenditures. The trick is implementabon.

Business case for metro wavelength services. (Online).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The demand for starting to build for wavelength services and a shared infrastructure makes business sense for the service provider interested in taking a share of the market. The next-generation systems remove the obstacles associated with past...

Pivotal year for pump lasers. (Online).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... In the second half of last year, the laser-pump segment of the optical-component industry began to feel the full force of the telecommunications bubble bursting. Used mainly for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers in WDM and DWDM systems in long-haul...

GPON: the next big thing in optical access networks. (Online).(Gigabit passive optical networking)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Gigabit passive optical networking (GRON) provides a scalable framing structure from 622 Mbits/sec to 2.5 Gbits/sec as well as support for asymmetric bit rates, exceptionally high bandwidth utilization for any type of service, and standard...

Measuring and monitoring synchronization in a network. (Online).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... In technologies such as SONET and SDH, proper network synchronization is a critical factor in maintaining quality of service. Presented will be the theoretical basis for the measurement analysis used to characterize synchronization in...

Simulation helps microscopic bubbles switch fiber-optic circuits. (Online).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Agilent photonic-switching platform operates by blowing bubbles in just the right spots in a tiny trench cut in a planar lightwave circuit. The bubbles redirect light beams into different paths to reconfigure fiber-optic networks. Early...

VPLS: driving profitability for enterprises and service providers.(Virtual private LAN services)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... In today's trying economic environment, enterprises and service providers share a common goal: profitability. Enterprises are looking to cut IT expenses so they can devote as much of their available resources as possible to their core...

Quick vote.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... QUICK VOTE We asked visitors to Lightwave Online the following question "If allowed to stand, what effect will the FCC's new rules have on fiber deployment?" Percentage of respondents Significantly positive 25%...

Zhone Technologies. (Hot off the Press).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Zhone Technologies (Oakland) acquired last mile access equipment supplier NEC Eluminant Technologies (Chantilly, VA), a subsidiary of NEC USA. Products in the acquisition include the ISC-303 digital-loop carrier, VISTA Access SONET add/drop...

CyOptics. (Industry Update: North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CyOptics (waltham, MA) a developer of indium phosphide-based optical components, acquired the optical-component packaging capabilities of CENiX, a leader in the automated assembly and test of optoelectronic subsystems. The purchase includes...

Gila River Telecommunications. (North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Independent telecommunications provider Gila River Telecommunications (GRTI--Chandler, AZ) deployed the MetroOptix (Allen, TX) CityStream 5000 multiservice provisioning platform in its network. Established in 1988 for the purpose of providing...

WilTel Communications Group. (Industry Update: North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... WilTel communications Group (Tulsa, OK) will provide SBC Internet services, an SBC communications company (San Antonio, TX), 10-Gbit/sec OC-192c transport for SBC to build-out its national P network and support the growth and expansion of its...

Lightwaves2020. (Industry Update: North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Optical-component supplier Lightwaes2020 (San Jose, CA) and optical-controller provider Intelligent Photonics control (Ottawa, Ontario) signed an agreement to jointly develop intelligent optical amplifiers. The amplifiers will be based on novel...

RBN. (Industry Update: North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... RBN (San Francisco), a designer and developer of carrier-class optical transport and switching platforms for the access, particularly the outside plant, and metro markets, announced the completion of its series C funding totaling $11 million...

Fairchild semiconductor. (Industry Update: North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Fairchild semiconductor (South Portland, ME) signed a long-term production agreement with micro-electromechnical systems (MEMS)-based all-optical-switching company OMM (San Diego). Fairchild will supply OMM with MEMS wafers for use in...

Ripley. (Industry Update: North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Ripley (Cromwell, CT), a manufacturer of wire and cable preparation tools, acquired the products and intellectual assets of Amherst FiberOptics from Communication Dynamics. Details of the acquisition have not been made public. Beginning...

Molex. (Industry Update: North America).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Component supplier Molex (Lisle, IL), acquired certain assets of Schoot Optovance, including the Optical Shuffle high-density fiber-optic interconnect and Light Dealer product lines. Molex has completed the transfer of the operation to its...

Northlight Optronics AB. (Industry Update: Europe).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Northlight Optronics AB announced the acquisition of Ericsson Optoelectronics (Stockholm), the optoelectronic-component business unit of Ericsson. The purchase includes the development and manufacturing activities as well as the 48 employees of...

THUS plc. (Industry Update: Europe).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... United Kingdom service provider THUS plc has selected the Ciena (Linthicum, MD) multiservice CWDM platform to support its LAN extension services known as "City Ethernet." The deal allows THUS to offer carrier class, metropolitan, and national...

Marconi plc. (Industry Update: Europe).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Marconi plc (London) announced that the U.S. Department of Defense is the first customer of its 10-Gbit/sec (OC-192c/STM-64) ATM port card, a high-speed interface for Marconi's flagship multiservice switch-router, the XR-48000. The sale also...

OpsiTech. (Industry Update: Europe).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Component and module supplier OpsiTech (Grenoble, Prance, and Summit, NJ) announced its arrayed-waveguide-grating-based multiplexer/demultiplexer product family has successfully passed the Telcordia GR-1221 qualification. The technology also...

Welsh Development Agency. (Industry Update: Europe).(Optronics Technology and Incubation Centre)
April 1, 2003... The Welsh Development Agency (WDA--Cardiff Wales, UK) announced plans for the development of a national business incubation and research facility dedicated to the growth of the optoelectronics industry. Known as OpTIC Technium (Optronics...

WilTel Communications Group. (Industry Update: Asia).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... WilTel Communications Group (Tulsa, OK) finalized deals with China Telecom (Beijing) to sell partial capacity interest in the China-U.S. Submarine Cable Network, equivalent to 29 half-circuit STM-1s of telecommuncations capacity. The agreement...

Sagitta. (Industry Update: Asia).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Sagitta (Hauppauge NY), a supplier of systems for fully automating the polish-clean and inspection of fiber-optic components and connectors, announced a strategic partnership agreement with distributor U-Tech of Taiwan. Effective immediately,...

Corning. (Industry Update: Asia).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Corning (Corning, NY) announced that PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), a state-owned Indonesian gas company, has selected Corning Vascade L1000 optical fiber for its undersea Indonesian network. That is the first installation of Vascade L1000...

Etisalat. (Industry Update: Africa * Middle East Australia).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Etisalat, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Telecommunications Corp., announced the completion of the Etisalat P infrastructure with the deployment of M160 routing platforms from Juniper Networks (Sunnyvale, CA). The M160 routers have been...

International Telecommunication Union. (Industry Update: Africa * Middle East Australia).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... A memorandum of understanding between the League of Arab States and International Telecommunication Union (ITU--Geneva) has been signed, creating a framework for cooperation for the ITU and League of Arab States to coordinate efforts in setting...

KiloLambda Technologies. (Industry Update: Africa * Middle East Australia).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Molex (Lisle, IL) and KiloLambda Technologies (Tel Aviv) signed an agreement to collaborate on the development and marketing of a multiwavelength source. The project is based on KiloLambda's proprietary technology to generate hundreds of highly...

Defense not necessarily the best offense. (Editorial).(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... With the telecommunications market bumping along the bottom of its current trough, many optical communications vendors are searching for new markets. Several companies tell me they've attached their hopes of safe harbor to defense and the...

Cautious optimism pervades industry. (Wall Street & Finance).(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... For the first time in several quarters, the fourth quarter of 2002 was a remarkably uneventful reporting period. With the exception of Lucent Technologies, investors were greeted with in line to slightly better sales results and cautious first...

Harsh-environment fiber optics lead growth. (Analyst Corner).(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... While the consumption of fiber-optic components in telecommunications and other commercial applications is only now cautiously emerging from a major recession, fiber communications in harsh environments maintains strong growth and holds a...

SCTE addresses optical standards. (Standards Watch).
April 1, 2003... The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) has added a fifth Fiber-Optic Interface Working Group (IPS-WG5) to its Interface Practices and In-Home Cabling Subcommittee (IPS). That came about from a directive to the IPS chairperson...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2003... U.S. may be exporting its fiber future Steve Brown's "Regulation & Policy" column in the January Lightwave [page 19], plus the reported forecasts that lightwave-component manufacturing was rapidly moving to China [January, page 1], brought...

Pushing fiber to user: reality check; fiber's battle for 'premises supremacy' will require a lot more than simply making the technology available. (Special Report: Premises Networks).(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... The once-enthusiastic certainty that fiber-optic technology would soon force its way into businesses across the country--capturing the premises market and ousting copper once and for all--seems to be on the same track as the promise of OC-768...

Independents' day: a local market beyond the bells. (Business Intelligence: Market for Independent Operating Companies).(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... Optical communications equipment vendors reaching out to this diverse group of IOCs may have their work cut out for them. Who moved our cheese? Adapting to change is more than a platitude for today's beleaguered optical communications...

Intelligent DWDM fiber amps without dynamic GFF a smart choice: a passive GFF combined with a fiber-amplifier configuration offers a constant spectral gain profile over a large dynamic range. (Feature).(gain-flattening filters )(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... Everyone seems to agree that intelligent inline fiber amplifiers, able to adapt to different input-channel distributions, will be necessary to implement a wavelength-agile optical communications network. It also appears that a consensus has...

MEMS-based OXCs: closing the reliability gap; seeking to close the perceived gap in reliability between MEMS-based optical crossconnects and OEO SONET switches in existing networks. (Feature).(all-optical crossconnect )(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... Telecommunications industry needs have spurred developments aimed at significantly reducing the costs of optical infrastructure. (1) Central to this aim is the elimination of unnecessary optical-electrical conversions. The highly scalable...

Optical broadcast switch. (Systems & Subsystems).(Advanced Optical MEMS Inc )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The 8x8 all-optical optomechanical broadcast switch is designed for applications requiring information from a source distributed to multiple destinations such as SANs, video on demand, and distributed data processing. The switch offers...

GR-449 issue 2 defines high-density frames. (Tech Trends).(Telcordia Technologies 'Generic Requirements for Fiber Distribution Frames')
April 1, 2003... In 1995, Telcordia Technologies issued GR-449-CORE, "Generic Requirements for Fiber Distribution Frames." Thanks to the emergence of WDM and the development of smaller-diameter fibers, small-form-factor (SFF) connectors, moveable connectors and...

Calix C7 platform targets LECs. (Product Profile: Systems).
April 1, 2003... After little more than three years m stealth mode, Petaluma, CA-based Calix has emerged--guns blazing, so to speak. The company's C7 Simplified Services Platform is already NEBS-compliant, OSMINE-certified, and Rural Utilities Service...

SFF widely tunable transponder. (Systems & Subsystems).(XLight Photonics XL-TT10G )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The XL-TT10G small-form-factor 10-Gbit/sec widely tunable transponder in a 300-pin 3.5x4x0.53-inch multisource-agreement (MSA) package tunes over the entire C- or L- band with wavelength spacing of 50 or 100 GHz and supports multiple data...

MEMS-based all-optical wavelength switch. (Systems & Subsystems).(Network Photonics' CrossWave 1400 )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The CrossWave 1400 1x4 MEMS-based all-optical subsystem is a building block for transparent NxN wavelength switching nodes in long-haul, ultra-long-haul, and regional carrier networks. It integrates DWDM demultiplexing, switching, and...

Nonblocking asynchronous crosspoint switches. (Components).(Vitesse's VSC3138 and VSC313)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Designed for enterprise, metro, and core networks, the VSC3138 (40x40) and VSC3139 (72x72) fully non-blocking asynchronous crosspoint switches carry broadband data streams at rates to 3.6 Gbits/sec. Applications include SONET-based and DWDM...

Multifiber backplane 2-piece connector. (Components).(Johanson Fiber Optics Group's MPAK )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The MPAK multifiber two-piece connector system comprises of a female connector and male jack with 6 MT-style ferrules for a total of 48, 72, or 144 optical fibers, depending on ferrule configuration. It includes rugged nickel-plated cast zinc...

PM coupler fibers. (Components).(Nufern's PM980C-HP 980-nm and PM14XXC-HP 14XX-nm )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The PM980C-HP 980-nm and PM14XXC-HP 14XX-nm polarization-maintaining coupler fibers reduce insertion loss, up to an order of magnitude lower, and improve control, resulting in increased efficiencies for components and networks. Both versions of...

Component C+L system. (Test Equipment).(Anritsu's ME7894A)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The ME7894A optical-component test system for WDM transmission systems operating in the C- and L-bands comprises an advanced tunable-laser source with 70-dB optical signal-to-noise ratio and high power output; optical power meter;...

High-power tunable-laser source. (Test Equipment).(Agilent Technologies 819XXA)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The 819XXA compact high-power tunable-laser source for testing next-generation active and broadband passive components helps component manufacturers speed development, without the need for an additional booster erbium-doped fiber amplifier...

Photonic bandgap calculation software. (Design & Manufacturing).(RSoft Design Group's BandSOLVE 1.1 )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The enhanced BandSOLVE 1.1 design software for calculating photonic band structures is built from the ground up to simplify the design and analysis of all photonic-crystal (PC) devices, users can create PC designs in an intuitive CAD interface,...

Fiber-optic fault-finder kit. (Installation).(Hubbell Premise Wiring's Fiber Optic Visible Fault Finder Kit )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The handheld Fiber Optic Visible Fault Finder Kit provides installers/troubleshooters with a dual-laser visible light source to locate excessive bends, kinks, and breaks in fiber-optic cables It is also suited for optimizing splices and MT-RJ...

Fiber optic: communications directory.(Directory)
April 1, 2003... ABLESTIK 20021 Susana Road, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221 PH: 310-764-4600 FX: 310-764-2545 EMAIL: jilla.senkbeil@ablestik.com WEB: www.ablestik.com Ablestik offers the most complete line of adhesives for fiber optic...

Ignis optics taps operations VP. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Ron Menigoz has been appointed operations vice president at Ignis Optics, as the company ramps up production of its short- and intermediate-range smallform-factor-pluggable (SFP) transceivers. Menigoz was previously operations VP at Blaze...

Marconi's optical networks. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... U.K.-based optical-switch-module developer Polatis has named Dave Lewis chief executive, while Gary Vanstone, who acted as interim CEO, will continue as chairman. Lewis, with more than 20 years' experience in the telecom industry, was...

Retired Lucent Technologies. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Retired Lucent Technologies COO Dr. Daniel C. Stanzione was elected to optical subsystem and component maker Continuum Photonics' board of directors. A fellow of the IEEE, Stanzione began his career at Bell Laboratories more than 30 years ago....

SRI International. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Dr. Venkat Shastri, an expert in robotics and intelligent automation, has been appointed vice president of engineering at Palomar Technologies, where he will direct research and development in high-precision assembly automation systems for...

Pirelli Cable and Systems. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Optical Cable has named Charles W. Carson senior vice president of marketing and strategy, a newly created position that carries responsibility for developing and managing marketing and sales growth planning. With more than 19 years' experience...

Telcordia Technologies International. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Enterprise class software maker VPlsystems has appointed Kevin Connolly president, responsible for the network lifecycle management and photonic design automation businesses. His 20year resume includes president of Telcordia Technologies...

LambdaNet Communications. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... European network telecommunications services supplier LambdaNet Communications reports that Mikel Williams, chief operating officer and managing director of new-business development for LambdaNet companies in France and Spain, has been promoted...

DenseLight Semiconductors Private Limited. (People).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Singapore-based DenseLight Semiconductors Private Limited, developer and manufacturer of indium phosphide-based active optoelectronic chips and photonic Cs, has named Gerard William Rodrigues chairman. He is charged with the company's...

Calendar.
April 1, 2003... April 15-16 Strategies in Optical Manufacturing. In San Mateo, CA, by Strategies Unlimited. Tel: 650-941-3438 e-mail: marketing@strategies-u.com Website: www.strategies-u.com. 27-May 2 NetWorld+Interop. In...

Optical modulators to net $1.3 billion by 2007. (Market Watch).(study from ElectroniCast )(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... Global consumption of optical modulators is expected to increase 38% per year over the next five years, jumping from its $266-million mark in 2002 to more than $1.3 billion by 2007, reports a new study from ElectroniCast (San Mateo, CA)....

Telecom lasers, transponders could see 30% growth this year, thanks to line cards. (Market Watch).(Strategies Unlimited report)(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... The telecom laser and transponder market could grow more than 30% in 2003, driven by the continued installation of line cards into existing systems, claims a new report by market researcher Strategies Unlimited (Mountain View, CA). But with...

Ethernet poised to take over the metro in next 10 years. (Market Watch).(Infonetics Research report)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... Worldwide metro Ethernet equipment revenue reached $2.5 billion in 2002 and is projected to grow 131% to $5.7 billion by 2006, reveals new data from Infonetics Research (San Jose, CA). Worldwide metro Ethernet equipment ports hit 756,000 in...

Meet all SFF-8472 diagnostic and timing specifications with no external components.(Maxim's MAX3735 and MAX3740 series)
April 1, 2003... Multirate Laser Drivers Meet All Diagnostic Requirements for SFP Modules Maxim's laser drivers are optimized for 155Mbps to 3.2Gbps, low-cost, SFP/SFF module applications. The MAX3735 is an FP/DFB driver operating from 155Mbps to 2.7Gbps....

Reference design: multi rate (1 Gbps to 2.7 Gbps) small form factor pluggable (SFP) transmitter.(High-Frequency Reference Design 3.0 optical transmitter, MAX3735 Laser Driver and DS1858 Digital Potentiometer)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... SFP Compliance with Minimal External Components Overview High-Frequency Reference Design (HFRD) 3.0 is a complete optical transmitter intended for the Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) Multisource Agreement (MSA) market. Data rates up...

Complete low-cost, high performance FTTx chipset. (Future Product).(MAX3656 and MAX3657)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MAX3656* Burst-Mode Laser Driver for APON/EPON ONU Enables Low-Cost Passive Optical Network (PON)-based FTTx ONUs * Multirate Operation from 155Mbps to 2.5Gbps * 2ns Burst Enable/Disable Delay * Low 57mA Power Consumption at...

Choose the ideal optical driver for your 10Gbps application. (Future Product).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... EAM Drivers Eliminate External Bias Components The MAX3940/MAX3941 * EAM Drivers Integrate Bias T, Conserve Space, and Simplify Design The MAX3940 is designed to drive an electro-absorption modulator (EAM) at data rates up to 11.1Gbps....

Equalizers take electrical signals beyond 10Gbps.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MAX3804 12.5Gbps Settable Receive Equalizer * Compensates Up to 30in (0.75m) of 6-Mil FR-4 * Up to 12.5Gbps Data Rate * Protocol Agnostic: Compatible with 8b/10b, 64b/66b, and PRBS Data * Less than 30[pS.sub.p-p] Residual...

Equalizer selection guide.
April 1, 2003... Equalizer Selection Guide Equalizer Examples for 8b10b Coded Serial Links (e.g., GbE, XAUI) SINGLE EQ 30in 40in MAX Span Circuit Board: Circuit Board: FR-4, ...

XAUI repeater enables 10Gbps copper interconnects. (Future Product).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The MAX3655 * provides 3R regeneration of 4x 3.125Gbps Ethernet XAUI data for 10Gbps over copper applications across backplanes and cables. The repeater allows 4 lanes of XAUI data to reach across 4Oin of FR-4 or 20m of cable, as required by...

Equalize redundant links in 1.5Gbps SATA storage systems.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... 1.5Gbps Mux/Buffer Extends Reach to 20 in of FR-4 The MAX3786 serial-ATA compatible, 1.5Gbps multiplexer/buffer IC is optimized for SATA redundancy applications such as switching between two disk controllers. The MAX3786 offers unrivaled...

ICs for optoelectronic applications.
April 1, 2003... ICs for Optoelectronic Applications Part Supply Data Rate Max Modulation Number Voltage (V) (bps) Current (mA) LASER DIODE DRIVERS MAX3261 5.0 1.25G ...

System interconnect products.
April 1, 2003... System Interconnet Products Clock Supply Supply Part Frequency Voltage Current Number (MHz) (V) (mA) REFERENCE CLOCK GENERATOR...

Storage area networks products.
April 1, 2003... Storage Area Networks Products Part Supply Data Rate Deterministic Number Voltage (V) (Mbps) Jitter (ps) PORT BYPASS CIRCUITS MAX3750 3.0 to 3.6 2125...