HOUTEN, The Netherlands - March 4, 2003 - ThreeFive Photonics has introduced the world's smallest optical channel monitor (OCM) on a single chip. The product, named Vela V40D, is for application in optical networks. Vela simultaneously monitors the power of 40 optical channels and makes the results available to network management systems. The ultra-compact chip in a standard-size butterfly package, complemented by the necessary electronics, is delivered in a module smaller than a credit card. It provides space saving of more than 90% when compared to the conventional solutions that it replaces, and a price reduction of 50% or more.
Vela addresses current demand of network operators
Vela answers the need of network operators to monitor the quality of their optical connections. They want to add or drop wavelengths at many locations in metropolitan networks, increasing their flexibility. "Due to the resulting complexity of optical networks, operators want to be able to closely monitor their quality of service", says ThreeFive Photonics Director Sales and Marketing Erik Pennings. "Conventional monitoring solutions are so expensive that they were only used for end-to-end monitoring in long-haul applications. Vela breaks this price barrier. With Vela network operators can afford to monitor the power of wavelengths at individual add and drop points, so that they can configure their networks in a much more flexible way."
The Vela OCM can also be used to provide control information for power equalizing purposes. Power differences in signals of adjacent wavelengths can cause crosstalk; equalizers are used to adjust the powers of individual wavelengths to the desired levels. The real-time input about the power levels that module manufacturers require can be provided by the Vela optical channel monitor. Due to the small size and low price of Vela, it is attractive for vendors to integrate a Vela module into their dynamic gain equalizers or self-equalizing EDFAs.
With Vela, ThreeFive Photonics realizes yet another step towards its vision: manufacturing a complete telecommunication subsystem on a single chip. The company's products, based on optoelectronic integration in indium phosphide, follow a roadmap of increasing complexity. The first product, the Argo single-chip DWDM multi-wavelength receiver that was introduced in February 2002, consisted of five monolithically integrated functions. Only one year later Vela comprises 41 functional components, monolithically integrated on a chip that still fits a butterfly package of the same standard size.
Rapid development demonstrates the strength of ThreeFive Photonics' fabless manufacturing
Specific requests for a small and low-cost optical channel monitor were triggered when customers tested and evaluated Argo during the summer of 2002. "They expressed an interest in a 40-channel optical channel monitoring solution", says Chrétien Herben, CTO of ThreeFive Photonics. "An optical channel monitor combines the functionality of an AWG with that of a number of photodetectors. Both of these components were also part of Argo. In November we started the development of the optical channel monitor and we are now about to deliver the first evaluation samples to customers. Our fabless manufacturing model enables us to realize very short product design and development cycles, thus closely following the demands of the market."
The product announced today, Vela V40D, allows simultaneous monitoring of 40 optical channels at a channel spacing of 100 GHz. The Vela V40D is very versatile and can be used for all applications of up to 40 channels, channel spacings of both 100Ghz as well as 200GHz, and in C-band as well as in L-band applications. Alternative configurations are available upon request. The Vela V40D will be demonstrated live at the OFC trade show in Atlanta (USA) from March 25 till 27, 2003.
Vela fits the trend: complete modules, ready for use
The growing expertise of ThreeFive Photonics in the field of monolithic optoelectronic integration in indium phosphide enables the company's engineers to develop chips of increasing complexity. Vela is only one step in this process. To simplify the work of the system integrators who want to include Vela optical channel monitoring functionality in their systems, the chip is combined with electronics to process its raw output and deliver it through a standardized interface such as RS-232 and I2C. Despite this added functionality the Vela module is still very small.
Availability and pricing
Vela V40D will be made available to selected customers for testing and evaluation in the second quarter of 2003. Samples of Vela are introduced at a highly competitive price that is equivalent to the volume price for the current market solution consisting of separate components. Volume pricing will be typically 50% below other OCM products in the market.
Additional information
Preliminary data sheet: http://www.35ph.com/download/Vela_V40D_specs.pdf (in PDF)
The benefits of optoelectronic integration: a whitepaper with an explanation why the industry needs optoelectronic integration now and why indium phosphide is the material of choice: http://www.35ph.com/download/35ph_Optoelectronic_Landscape_White_Paper.pdf
Picture of Vela V40D: http://www.35ph.com/download/Vela_V40D.zip
About ThreeFive Photonics
ThreeFive Photonics is a fabless developer and supplier of monolithically integrated optoelectronic chips for use in telecommunication networks, based in the Netherlands. The products of ThreeFive Photonics are based on indium phosphide, a compound of elements in columns Three and Five of the Periodic Table of the Elements. ThreeFive Photonics targets the integration of entire subsystems on a single chip, thereby significantly improving the size, cost and performance of telecommunications systems, and enabling system integrators to build systems at lower cost, smaller footprint and reduced power consumption.
ThreeFive Photonics was established in 2001 and is funded by venture capital companies Atlas Venture (www.atlasventure.com) and Gilde IT Fund (www.gilde.nl).
More information
For more press information please contact:
Steijger.communications
Tel: +31 (0)36 523 5330
Fax: +31 (0)36 523 5331
Gsm: +31(0)6 555 92365
E-mail: milaine@steijger.com
For more product information please contact:
ThreeFive Photonics
De Molen 25
3994 DA Houten
The Netherlands
Tel. +31-(0)30-635 5220
Fax +31-(0)30-635 5221
sales@35ph.com
www.35ph.com