Avanex, Fujitsu Join on Dispersion

TOKYO and FREMONT, Calif. -- Fujitsu Limited and Avanex Corporation today announced that they have reached an agreement to standardize specifications for Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA , Footnote *1) dispersion compensation modules, a tunable type of dispersion compensation device considered indispensable to realizing next-generation 40-gigabit-per-second high-speed optical transmission systems. By offering products based on this agreement, the two companies will aim to establish the de facto standard for dispersion compensation modules. Dispersion compensation modules are used in optical transmission systems where optical signals become distorted (wavelength dispersion) during transmission through optical fibers. Dispersion compensation modules correct such distortion and return signals to their original state. Until now, conventional optical transmission systems that operate at 10 gigabits per second have corrected wavelength dispersion by using a dispersion compensating fiber (DCF). Next-generation high-speed optical transmission systems, however, require higher performance wavelength compensation devices, such as "tunable" types, capable of making minute corrections to wavelength dispersion, which changes according to environmental factors such as the type and length of fiber as well as temperature. Fujitsu Ltd. Avanex Corp.