Emcore Corp of Alhambra, CA, USA – which provides indium phosphide (InP)-based optical chips, components, subsystems and systems for the broadband and specialty fiber-optics markets – is sampling its new radio-frequency-over-glass (RFoG) optical networking unit (ONU) transceiver with key customers for qualification.
Announced at the ANGACOM 2017 Exhibition & Congress for Broadband, Cable and Satellite in Cologne, Germany at the end of May, the new RFoG ONU transceiver is an optical beat interference (OBI)-mitigated design utilizing the firm’s linear externally modulated laser (L-EML). The unit is being showcased, along with Emcore’s complete line of CATV network solutions, in booth #872 at the 2017 Cable-Tec Expo at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver (18-20 October).
RFoG technology enables cable multiple service operators (MSOs) to offer a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP)-type architecture without changes to standard equipment in the head-end or central office. As subscriber density increases however, OBI signal degradation can present challenges to overall system performance. Emcore says that its RFoG ONU transceiver overcomes those obstacles by eliminating the effects of OBI through proprietary upstream laser wavelength management, significantly improving RFoG network performance in high-density customer environments.
The RFoG ONU transceiver is compliant with the SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers) RF-over-glass specification. It is designed to support standard CATV downstream and upstream transmission bands for voice, video and data signals in single-family and multiple-dwelling unit applications. Downstream it receives a 1550nm forward-path optical signal carrying an RF cable television spectrum up to 1.2GHz, making it compatible with the cable industry’s DOCSIS 3.1 standard. For return path, it supports digital upstream transmission operating at 1610nm that supports a 5-85MHz spectrum.
“Key customers are excited to sample the unit for qualification within their systems,” says VP of marketing Gyo Shinozaki. “The combination of OBI mitigation and an economically compelling solution make this an attractive option for RFoG.”
At the Cable-Tec Expo, Emcore is also showcasing its latest DOCSIS 3.1, 1550nm CATV transmitters utilizing the L-EML technology with a rack-mount system display featuring the Medallion 8100 1550nm CATV transmitter, Medallion 7000 series CATV fiber amplifier and 2100 optical A/B switch. In addition, the firm is displaying its new, compact 1.2GHz, 1550nm L-EML -based mini-transmitter card subassembly designed for a range of CATV applications. Emcore will also feature its latest high-density laser package technology with the forthcoming XMD, which incorporates the firm’s proven 1550nm QAM laser technology into an ultra-compact form-factor that is about one-third the size of Emcore’s classic 14-pin butterfly laser module.
“Adoption of our L-EML technology continues at a rapidly expanding rate and our new ‘mini-Tx' subassembly provides all the core elements required for designers to quickly integrate the L-EML device technology into a variety of CATV transmitter platforms,” says senior product line director Grant Olecko. “Everyday the true benefits of linear fiber optics to the node in HFC [hybrid fiber coaxial] networks becomes more apparent compared to baseband digital links being evangelized by some in the industry,” he adds.
