Molex buys Luxtera’s active optical cable line/VI Systems, consortium develop 40-Gbps VCSEL components

JANUARY 11, 2011 By Stephen Hardy -- Molex Inc. (NASDAQ:MOLX and MOLXA) says it has acquired Luxtera’s active optical cable business. The two companies also have reached an agreement for Luxtera to continue to supply the Silicon CMOS Photonics chip sets that form the foundation of the active optical cables, including collaboration on chip sets to support expansion of the active optical cable portfolio. Molex did not disclose the price it paid for the Luxtera product line, which was marketed under the Blazar name (see “Luxtera introduces low-power 40G AOC.”) The assets Molex has acquired include QSFP+ (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable) 40-Gbps Ethernet and InfiniBand active optical cables. These will be added to Molex’s existing active optical cable portfolio. Molex anticipates the chip collaboration will see the development of 14-Gbps and four-channel 25-Gbps products for the 100 Gigabit Ethernet and InfiniBand markets. Molex described the collaboration agreement with Luxtera as “exclusive,” although Luxtera had previously signed a collaboration agreement with Amphenol and was supplying active optical cable technology to Siemon (see “Amphenol, Luxtera pair for active optical cables” and “Siemon intros QSFP+ 40G active optical cable”). Whether these two agreements will remain in place is not yet known. “The acquisition of Luxtera’s AOC business immediately adds QSFP+ 40-Gbps products to our existing portfolio and further contributes to our tradition of innovation for our customers, allowing them to deliver high performance products,” said Doug Busch, vice president and general manager of Molex’s Global Fiber Optic Products Group. “We are very excited to be partnering with Luxtera on future AOC development because the combination of our interconnect expertise with Luxtera’s long reach, low power, and low bit error rate optical solutions will enable us to offer the highest level of photonics integration and performance available.” Luxtera CEO Greg Young said the deal would enable Luxtera to “continue to accelerate its growth by focusing on our core Silicon Photonics technology platform, while at the same time expanding the reach of our technology to global markets and customers.” JANUARY 14, 2010 -- Germany optical components developer VI Systems GmbH says it has successfully completed a project to develop serial 40-Gbps fiber-coupled small form-factor TO-can receiver and transmitter modules, including several related electro-optic components. VI Systems was part of a consortium funded by IBB, a major Berlin bank. The research consortium also included a European GaAs epi-wafer foundry, a foundry for silicon-germanium-based BiCMOS integrated circuits, a high-volume manufacturing partner with expertise in flip-chip and wire bonding process steps, and the German technical universities of Berlin (TUB) and Dresden (TUD). The consortium developed and prototyped ICs for current or electro-optically modulated lasers and limiting transimpedance amplifier ICs for the photodiodes. A high-frequency (40 GHz) transmitter and receiver packaging based on the proprietary integrated-packaging approach of VI Systems for flip-chip and wirebond sub-assemblies was completed as well. The devices demonstrated error-free data bit transmission over multimode fiber at 40 Gbps, according to VI Systems. The power consumption of the receiver and transmitter modules is below 150 mW allowing integration into standard commercial SFP (small form-factor pluggable) transceivers. Additionally the small size (less than 6 mm x 6 mm) and the power consumption levels of the new prototype modules will enable their integration into QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable) transceivers with SerDes ICs, all at an expected power consumption of 3 W per module, the company adds. The production of both singlemode and multimode fiber versions of the QSFP transceiver is possible. The project and follow-on involvement of an industrial partner will enable scalable mass production at a low cost, VI Systems asserts. Active optical cable (AOC) applications and IEEE 802.3bg standard extensions towards low cost low power applications can be targeted for follow-on product exploitation, the company concludes. Product sample are available now.

EXFO debuts portable 100G Ethernet tester/GigOptix enables sub-1-W for 120-Gbps parallel optics links

MAY 29, 2009 -- EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (search Lightwave for EXFO) has launched the FTB-85100G Packet Blazer, which it asserts is the industry's first portable 100-Gbps and 40-Gbps Ethernet tester in a single module. Built for applications demanding portability, ruggedness, and ease of use, the FTB-85100G is designed to enable multiple teams to efficiently execute lab, trial, and deployment testing using a single Ethernet tester, thus maximizing testing investment across the entire product lifecycle. Housed in the recently introduced FTB-500 platform, the FTB-85100G Packet Blazer is engineered to be a rugged, portable 100-Gbps Ethernet test instrument offering Layer 1/2/3 traffic generation and analysis features to stress and validate network elements and network services against demanding corner cases. The FTB-85100G supports multiple transceiver interfaces (CFP, CXP, and QSFP) to provide flexibility to cover all possible equipment and network designs for high-speed transport alternatives. Users can also generate and analyze 100- and 40-Gbps line-rate Ethernet and IP packets, as well as perform EtherBERT tests, all via an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). The FTB-85100G can execute multilayer testing to rapidly validate physical-layer characteristics and accurately benchmark Ethernet/IP performance of equipment and high-speed packet transport networks, EXFO asserts. "Transport capacity constraints must be addressed quickly, but expansion must still be cost-efficient. To establish performance expectations, sound and comprehensive testing strategies are critical at every stage of the product lifecycle -- especially with emerging technologies," said Etienne Gagnon, EXFO's vice-president of product management and marketing. JUNE 18, 2009 -- GigOptix Inc. (search Lightwave for GigOptix) says it has successfully demonstrated error-free 10-Gbps optical links over 100 m of multimode fiber (MMF) operating with less than 81 mW per channel or 8 mW/Gbps. These links used "off the shelf" 850-nm O/E components and GigOptix's HXT/R4 series of multichannel VCSEL driver and receiver arrays with a single power supply. The company calls it "a major step in parallel optics solutions" as it will enable 12-channel links used in SNAP12, CXP, and 100GBase-SR10 standards to achieve sub-1-W power dissipation. Commercially available 12-channel parallel optics modules operating at 6.25 Gbps/channel offer an aggregate bandwidth of 75 Gbps with power consumption of 53 mW/Gbps or in the range of 300 mW/channel. GigOptix says its 10-Gbps solution offers 120 Gbps and results demonstrate more than 6x improvement over the previous generations with a single power supply. "Network demand continues to grow at a fast pace and parallel optics provides many benefits over traditional copper connections in broadband networks," says Daryl Inniss, vice president and practice leader of communications component of Ovum. "Continuously driving down the energy per bit is key to accelerating the adoption in the enterprise segment. GigOptix is setting a significant benchmark with these results." "This is a great result that confirms the value of the 10-Gbps implementation with new technology concepts to reduce power. We also have more system optimization ideas which, we believe, can improve on these results with further cooperation with our customers," says Joerg Wieland, vice president and general manager of GigOptix-Helix. "System integrators can now produce unprecedented power efficiency for high-density, board-to-board interconnects for high-end servers and routers. This new generation provides higher bandwidths and greatly reduces system power dissipation, which will enable data center managers to save significantly on energy costs due to heat management." The HXT/R4 family is designed for use in active optical cables (AOCs) and SNAP12 and QSFP optical modules while serving the fast-growing markets of high-performance computing optical interconnects, switch and router optical backplanes, and the new 40G and 100G Ethernet standards.

Gigalight unveils 3G video SFP transceivers /Tektronix offers SFP+ automated test and debug via DP0/DSA/MSO70000 Series oscilloscopes

Gigalight has introduced its 3G Video SFP optical transceiver modules for SD-SDI (270 Mbps), HD-SDI (1.485 Gbps), and 3G-SDI (2.97 Gbps) applications. The modules are designed for long-distance and HD video signal transfer, and come in four models: transmitters, receivers, transceivers, and transmitter/receiver. The modules will support transmission distances ranging from 10 km to 80 km. Compared to traditional modules, the 3G video SFPs better overcome transmission impairments to provide long reach at full bandwidth, the company asserts. Gigalight’s 3G video SFP uses MCU control and high accuracy DDM to meets the such specifications as SMPTE 424M, 292M, 259M-C, 297, etc. The new 3G video SFP is Gigalight’s first offering in the video optical communication field. Tektronix Inc. has introduced what it asserts is the first comprehensive automated test and debug offering for SFF-8431, SFP+ PHY, and SFP+ Direct Attach Cable Specifications "10GSFP+CU" Measurements. The new TEKEXP SFP-TX option for Tektronix’s DPO/DSA/MSO70000 Series oscilloscopes are designed to help users easily select measurements for SFF-8431 SFP+ testing and perform all measurements with a single button click. All masks, limits, and measurement parameters are automatically configured, says Tektronix. Users also can change selected measurements and measurement configurations using a new standard-specific user interface. The automated measurements are designed to help engineers efficiently meet SFP+ compliance requirements and generate detailed reports. Users also can change test limits for advanced margin and performance testing, according to Tektronix. Tektronix also has added six new measurements: VMA Rise Time Tx-Qsq DDPWS Fall Time Uncorrelated Jitter (UJ). Setup files are provided based on different signal types such as 8180, PRBS9, and PRBS 31. Signal-specific setup files enable users to perform measurements on different signal types or go into analysis and debug mode, Tektronix says. "The dramatic growth in bandwidth requirements and the increasing worldwide use of high-performance servers is leading to an expanding need for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and in turn new connectivity options based on SFP+," said Roy Siegel, general manager, oscilloscopes, Tektronix. "By offering the industry's first automated and debug solution for validating SFF-8431 SFP+ devices, Tektronix helps make it easier for companies to bring new and innovative SFP+ offerings to market with assurance their products will conform to specifications and deliver optimum performance and reliability." SFP-TX is available for download now from www.tektronix.com and is designed to run on Tektronix DPO/DSA/MSO oscilloscopes with 16-GHz bandwidth and above.

JDSU touts tunable SFP+ optical transceiver module/Avago 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel transceiver now in production

Having been first to market with a tunable XFP, JDSU (NASDAQ: JDSU) (TSX: JDU) says it has developed a tunable SFP+ optical transceiver module that will also be the first such device out of the gate. The module, which JDSU says is being demonstrated to customers, leverages the same Integrated Laser Mach-Zehnder (ILMZ) chip as the tunable XFP to provide full C-Band tunability. JDSU expects it to be in production within the next 12 months. As with other tunable devices, the tunable SFP+ transceivers will replace fixed-wavelength optical transceiver modules, particularly in enterprise and metro network equipment, JDSU says. The advent of tunable SFP+ modules will provide flexible wavelength provisioning and lower inventory requirements, the company adds. For example, the device will support remote configurability and 50-GHz channel spacing. In addition to replacing fixed SFP+ optical transceiver modules, JDSU also anticipates that equipment designers will adopt them in place of X2 and XENPAK transceivers. "The invention of the tunable SFP+ transceiver is the latest example of how JDSU's focus on R&D and vertical integration has translated into innovative and compelling new products," said Alan Lowe, president of the CCOP segment at JDSU. "We're very excited by initial feedback from customers who have told us that the tunable SFP+ transceiver will help them more efficiently manage their enterprise and metro networks." Avago Technologies (Nasdaq:AVGO) says its new AFBR-57F5PZ SFP+ transceivers for 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel applications have reached production status. The transceivers support industry-standard signaling rates up to 14.025 GBd. Avago expects the modules to find application in switches, routers, host bus adapters, RAID controllers, tape drives, and video switching, as well as inter-switch and inter-chassis aggregated links. While the AFBR-57F5PZ SFP+ transceiver offers twice the capacity of 8 Gigabit Fibre Channel devices, it operates at “essentially” the same power level, Avago asserts. The SFP+ module’s transmitter and receiver can operate at different data rates, as is often required during Fibre Channel speed negotiation. The module maintains compatibility with legacy 8 Gigabit and 4 Gigabit Fibre Channel devices as well, Avago says. Avago also touts the following additional features: Operating temperature range of 0° to 70° C and supply voltage of 3.3 V ± 5% Lead-free and RoHS-compliant Digital diagnostic features per SFF-8472 LC Duplex optical connector interface conforming to ANSI TIA/EIA604-10 (FOCIS 10A) Enhanced EMI performance for high port density applications. The AFBR-57F5PZ transceiver incorporates Avago’s 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and PIN detector technology. This combination ensures that the multi-rate SFP+ module is compliant with FC-PI-5 and 16G/8G/4G Fibre Channel specifications, the company states. The module will respond to both rate select pin and control bit inputs, which simplifies Fibre Channel host auto-negotiation algorithms, layout, and software, Avago adds. The AFBR-57F5PZ 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel transceiver is priced at $215.35 each in 100-piece quantities. Samples and production quantities are available now through the Avago direct sales channel and via worldwide distribution partners.

2012 optical industry trends/Hibernia Atlantic renames GFN as the Global Express Platform

If the 2011 calendar year could be described in three words, they would be “explosive bandwidth growth.” Both wired and wireless networks were stretched as consumers continued to adopt network intensive technologies at a fast pace. The main driver of bandwidth demand continues to be real-time entertainment, mainly video. According to Sandvine, in 2009, 29 percent of all Internet traffic during peak hours in the U.S. was real-time entertainment. By 2011, that number jumped to 49 percent, with Netflix streaming alone accounting for 30 percent of overall Internet usage during peak times. To put network demand in perspective, every 60 seconds consumers downloaded 13,000 hours worth of music from Pandora, posted more than 600 videos to YouTube, and used 370,000 minutes of voice time on Skype. In the mobile space, 4G LTE became mainstream as carriers began deploying the new, faster networks. Almost all major carriers are now in some stage of such deployments. As more consumers use smartphones and the applications they offer, upgrading backhaul networks also became vital, with as many as 16 backhaul networks being upgraded at a time. But as fast as the wireless carriers can upgrade their networks, users are immediately pushing those networks back to their new limits. The root cause of this is data usage. For example, every 60 seconds consumers made 695,000 mobile updates to Facebook and downloaded more than 13,000 iPhone applications in 2011. In other areas of the tech industry, developers and technologists were exploring new ways to make our interaction with technology more seamless by using applications like voice and gesture recognition. While some gaming and computing offerings already use the first generation of these applications, next-generation versions will enable us to interact more virtually with our electronics and even our cars by using voice commands or via the wave of a hand. The race is on to develop more compact, higher performance, and cost-effective optical hardware that will support these emerging new applications. Let’s consider how these trends will affect the optical communications industry in 2012. Optical supply chain for telecommunications becomes more on-demand The main challenge for carriers and network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) has not been the recent growth in bandwidth demand itself, but the fact that the growth has come in fits and spurts – making forecasting unpredictable at best. As a result, many in the optics industry have begun to adopt an on-demand supply chain model, with widespread adoption of vendor managed inventory (VMI) methods or other demand-pull systems. This trend will continue into 2012, to the point that the vast majority of product shipped to equipment manufacturers will be VMI driven. This practice will enable vendors to react faster and more flexibly to demand changes. Carriers become aware of self-aware networks Many consumers are not willing to pay more for services, even though they use more bandwidth every year. As a result, carriers must operate their networks more efficiently. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal is to more proactively manage bandwidth provisioning in the optical domain. This is why “self-aware” networks gained the attention of most operators in 2011 and why they represent a major evolution in transport network design. In these new networks, optical wavelength connections will be dynamically created, re-routed, or removed according to local network bandwidth needs. Self-aware capabilities will drastically reduce overall network operating costs for the carrier. While self-aware networks were still in development in 2011, first deployments could start in late 2012 or early 2013. Operators now know what a self-aware network looks like, what it can do, and what it will cost. This coming year will see operators deciding how to best integrate the technology into their next-generation networks and selecting their preferred equipment for full commercial deployment in 2013. 40G reaches mainstream, with 100G close behind In 2011, 40G deployments continued at a rapid pace with strong demand from China and EMEA. The main driver in China was the need for greater overall Internet speeds, while EMEA’s demand was driven by rising sales of tablets and smartphones. A lot of NEMs are talking about 100G, but 40G is now being deployed all over the world and will continue to play an important role in networks once 100G is readily available. Hardware for 100G networks began shipping in 2011, but not all parts of the technology are ready. Long-haul transponders for 100G are still in development as the industry decides on the best configuration. Some 100G components still need to be reduced in size and power consumption before the technology can reach full-scale deployment stages. The short-distance market has been figured out and could see initial deployments in late 2012. But the long-haul market is still unclear. Tunable networks now the norm The entire industry is seeking components that are smaller in size, consume less power, and provide improved functionality, while simultaneously supporting the continued aggressive price reduction trends in the telecommunications equipment market. With this in mind, it is no wonder that the tunable XFP transceiver saw rapid deployment in 2011. At this point, the tunable XFP has all but replaced the 300-pin transponder, and we will see continued growth for the tunable XFP throughout 2012. Also in 2012, the tunable SFP+ transceiver will be brought into production. The SFP+ offers an even smaller form factor, higher density, and lower power consumption. In the short term, the SFP+ will be used to provide tunable features further towards the edge of the network. In the long term, it could replace the XFP form factor for all tunable applications. Sinclair Vass is senior director of marketing within the Communications and Commercial Optical Products Business Segment at JDSU. Global capacity provider Hibernia Atlantic has rebranded its Global Financial Network (GFN) as the Global Express Platform. While the name has changed, the network continues to supply reliable, high-speed, low-latency services to the financial community, including global broker dealers, hedge funds, and capital markets across the US, Canada, Europe and the Pacific Rim, the company says. The Global Express Platform provides connectivity to more than 60 global exchanges and over 120 entry points around the world. In addition, the Global Express Platform offers rapid installation with five-day turnaround, the company says. The company’s Project Express transatlantic cable system between New York and London will provide a crucial element to the Global Express Platform – and perhaps, inspired the new name. “Hibernia’s Global Express Platform connects high frequency traders to global exchanges along the lowest latency, purpose built network,” said Joe Hilt, vice president of sales, North America, for Hibernia Atlantic. “With direct access to international interconnection facilities, Hibernia provides global businesses the source for fast and secure financial connections. The Global Express Platform is an exclusive, custom designed network built on Hibernia’s diverse footprint. More customers in both the financial and enterprise industries are requiring ultra-low latency connections around the globe. Our Global Express Platform caters to these specific needs.”