Bernd Huebner

Photonic integration for high-volume, low-cost applications

To date, photonic integration has seen only limited use in a few optical interface applications. The recently adopted IEEE draft standards for 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s Ethernet single-mode fiber local area network applications will change this situation. Although first generation implementations will use discrete components based on existing technologies, long-term requirements for significant reduction in cost, size, and power of 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s transceivers will lead to a broad demand for photonic integration. Both hybrid planar lightguide circuit and monolithic photonic integrated circuit are feasible approaches that meet the requirements of the new IEEE standards.

100GbE- Optical LAN Technologies [Applications & Practice]

This article discusses optical and IC technologies feasible for use in the development of LAN interfaces based on future IEEE 100-gigabit Ethernet SMF and MMF standards. SMF approaches using 10-Gb/s and 25-Gb/s WDM, and DWDM WAN technologies are outlined, with the 25-Gb/s approach examined in detail. The MMF approach using 10-Gb/s parallel optics technology is also examined in detail. Future technologies required for high-volume, low-cost 100 Gb/s are previewed.

52 Gbps PAM4 receiver sensitivity study for 400GBase-LR8 system using directly modulated laser.

Real-time 52 Gbps PAM4 transmission is demonstrated over single mode fiber (SMF) using a directly modulated laser (DML) and a PHY chip. The inner eye optical modulation amplitude (OMA) receiver sensitivities were measured and compared using avalanche photodetector (APD) and PIN photodetector (PD) for the maximum and minimum chromatic dispersions (CDs) of 400GBase-LR8 link. The measured inner eye OMAs were -17.8 dBm and -18.8 dBm for + 10 ps/nm and -58 ps/nm of CDs at the KP4 bit error rate (BER) threshold of 2 × 10-4 using a PIN PD, respectively. The measured inner eye OMA was improved to -21.0 dBm for -58 ps/nm of CD at the KP4 BER threshold using an APD. Negligible OMA penalty (< 0.4 dB) was captured for operating DML at different bias currents of 40 mA and 60 mA using a PIN PD and an APD for both positive and negative CDs at the KP4 BER threshold.

Optical transceivers for short and medium reach optical networks

Optical transceivers are the dominating technology for the optical front end of short and medium reach optical communication systems. They are diverse, ranging from low cost and high volume applications to extreme performance and relatively low volume products. Different technical solutions for the optical components are used and this paper gives an overview of enabling technologies. Furthermore the challenges (density, power consumption, cost, reach, increased performance) that optical transceivers face today and which technologies may be used to solve these challenges in the future are discussed.