M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes semiconductors, components and subassemblies for analog RF, microwave, millimeter-wave and photonic applications) has announced initial production shipments of two modulator drivers for use in CFP2 analog coherent optical (ACO) modules. The firm says that CFP2 ACO enables significantly lower cost per bit in metro applications, where lower power and smaller size enable higher port densities.
MACOM says that, over the last two years, by providing power- and size-efficient quad-channel driver solutions, it has enabled pluggable coherent CFP2 modules that will be seeing volume deployments in metro networks later this year. Operating at up to 200Gbps, the modules can significantly reduce the overall cost for metro systems. MACOM is also introducing additional solutions. The MAOM-003417 and MAOM-03417L are the latest additions to its portfolio and are optimized for use with the next generation of low Vpi indium phosphide (InP) modulators to further reduce power consumption.
The insatiable need for bandwidth has placed exacting requirements on the metro networks, says MACOM. This has resulted in carriers requiring a cost-effective way to expand their capacity, while simultaneously reducing the cost per bit transported. Component vendors are now tasked with the challenge to ramp production of 100G devices that are lower power, smaller size and lower cost.
"The 100G metro market is growing rapidly, with a total addressable market that could be $1.4bn by 2019," notes Daryl Inniss, practice leader at market research firm Ovum. "The CFP2 coherent form factor will enable the higher-volume metro market, as it enables lower-power, lower-cost and smaller-sized products. MACOM is well positioned to leverage this opportunity and address this hyper-growth market, with its broad portfolio of products and technology," he comments.
"MACOM's optical networking components provide clear performance benefits that enable 100G metro deployments to meet the aggressive power and cost targets required by operators," claims Ray Moroney, MACOM's marketing director for optoelectronics products. "The MAOM-03417L complements our extensive portfolio of modulator drivers for 100G and beyond."
Available for sampling now, the MAOM-003417 and MAOM-03417L drivers deliver up to 3Vpp single-ended linear output with only 600mW of power dissipation per channel. The small 14mm x 9.1mm form factor, low power dissipation, wide gain range and linearity make it suitable for next-generation coherent CFP2 modules using higher-order modulation schemes to reach data rates of 200Gbps. It is compatible with a wide range of available digital signal processors (DSPs) and Mach-Zehnder modulators for maximum flexibility, adds the firm.
