RICHMOND, Calif. -- DiCon Fiberoptics Inc., a leading manufacturer of fiberoptic components, modules, and test instruments, is announcing availability of a family of large fan-out MEMS 1xN and 2xN Switch Modules. The MEMS 1x16, 2x16, 1x32, and 2x32 Switch Modules are based on DiCon's MEMS 1x2 Switch and just-announced MEMS 1x8 and 1x16 Switches, in cascaded configurations. Each MEMS individual 1x8 or 1x16 switch is based on a "3D" micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) chip, as used in DiCon's existing MEMS 1x4 Switch. Voltages applied to the MEMS chip cause the mirror to rotate on two axes, which changes the coupling of light between a common fiber and multiple input/output fibers. MEMS 1x2 switches are used as the first stage of the switch module, providing high crosstalk isolation. DiCon's discrete MEMS Switches feature low insertion loss, low power consumption, excellent repeatability, and C and L band operation.

In order to achieve modules with a compact form factor and low power consumption, the individual MEMS Switches are implemented as "bare bones" devices in small cylindrical packages, with analog voltage control. In this configuration, a single electronics printed circuit board provides the digital control interface for all of the MEMS Switches, including shared circuitry for calibration.

The MEMS 1x16 and 2x16 Switch Modules are implemented using cascaded 1x2 and 1x8 MEMS Switches. They offer low insertion loss (< 1.0 dB and 1.4 dB, respectively, at 1550 nm and 23*C), high return loss (> 55 dB) and crosstalk isolation (>60 dB), support for high optical power levels (300 mW), and a small form factor (76mm x 56mm x 16mm).

The MEMS 1x32 and 2x32 Switch Modules are implemented using cascaded 1x2 and 1x16 MEMS Switches. They also offer low insertion loss (< 1.5 dB and 1.9 dB, respectively, at 1550 nm and 23*C), high return loss (>55 dB) and crosstalk isolation (>60 dB), support for high optical power levels (300 mW), and a small form factor (76mm x 56mm x 22mm). DiCon's Large Fan-out Switch Modules can be implemented in virtually any 1xN or 2xN dimension, using varying quantities of cascaded MEMS 1xN switches. The use of module-level integration enables rapid development of custom configurations for a variety of all-optical switching applications. The MEMS 1x16, 2x16, 1x32, and 2x32 Switch Modules will be available starting May 2004.

DiCon Fiberoptics Inc.