ANAHEIM, Calif., April 2, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- OFC (Optical Fibre Conference) 2002. Bookham Technology plc (LSE:BHM) (Nasdaq:BKHM) has unveiled an eight-channel optical link product which dramatically reduces the physical size of current solutions (by a factor of four). It is targeted at applications where both space and cost reduction are essential.
The Multi-Channel Link (MCL), demonstrated at the Optical Fibre Conference 2002 on stand #3441, consists of a separate eight-channel transmitter and an eight-channel receiver, designed to be a complementary pair compatible with SONET, SDH and Ethernet standard. In the transmitter, eight lasers and eight monitor photodiodes are hybridized onto a single silicon chip, with laser drivers and other circuitry included within the small form factor 20x55x5 mm package. In the receiver, eight receivers are hybridized onto the silicon chip, with TIAs (transimpendance amplifiers) included within the package. The eight-channel transmitters and receivers can also be used as part of a link or independently.
The MCL offers a four-fold increase in density, coupled with low power consumption. Size reduction in particular is a critical factor, at a time when systems are overcrowded and there is an increasing demand for higher channel counts.
Bookham Technology product line manager Chris White said, "SONET and SDH equipment manufacturers are constantly looking for higher levels of integration, in smaller and smaller devices and Bookham's MCL meets that need. It also eradicates the need for complex "optical wire" looms, and the integration of primary electronics and optics will reduce size further. Later products will focus on dramatic size and cost reduction for the metro market, with the introduction of a 2.5Gb/s version later in 2002."
Key benefits of the MCL also include the ability to offer multiple data-rates enabling the same module to be operated at 155Mb/s or 622Mb/s. Additional flexibility is provided since adjacent channels can operate at different speeds. Second generation MCL devices will introduce wavelength selected devices and include optical multiplexers and demultiplexers.
Bookham Technology (LSE:BHM) (Nasdaq:BKHM) designs, manufactures and markets integrated multi-functional active and passive optical components using high volume production methods. Using patented silicon-based ASOC, Gallium Arsenide and Indium Phosphide technologies, the company supplies complete end-to-end networking solutions that offer higher performance and greater systems capability to communications network system providers.
The company, whose securities are traded on Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange, is headquartered in the UK, with offices and manufacturing facilities in the US and UK, and has additional offices in France, Italy, Japan and China. The company employs approximately 850 people world-wide.
More information on Bookham Technology is available at www.bookham.com.
Bookham and ASOC are registered trademarks of Bookham Technology plc.