Cube Produces 100-Gig ROSA

MAINZ, Germany -- Cube Optics AG has successfully manufactured the world’s first integrated multi-lambda 100Gbps Receiver Optical Sub-Assemblies (ROSAs). This novel device yields superior perfor¬mance in a robust and manufacturable design. The ROSA optically demultiplexes four LAN Wavelength Division Multiplexed (LAN WDM) channels operating at 25 Gbps. The optical signals are converted to electrical information via a set of integrated detectors. The electrical signals are then further processed by suitable TIAs to produce a four-lane electrical data out¬put at rates of up to 4 x 28 Gbps.

In an effort to cope with constantly increasing bandwidth in LAN, SAN and Metro networks, service providers are demanding higher speed optical inter¬faces. To meet this need for greater transmission rates, the IEEE 802.3ba Ethernet Task Force is currently in the process of establishing new standards for 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps fiber-optic transceivers. Current serial transport designs exploiting state-of-the-art electronics and optics are not cost effective at such high speeds even over relatively short distances. A lower cost approach optically multiplexes together 25 Gbps data streams to realize transmission with the desired 100 Gbps data throughput. The Cube Optics’ approach integrates four PIN detectors and four corresponding laser diodes including the associated four channel miniature optical multiplexing function. Miniature multi-lambda TOSA and ROSA assemblies enable the commercial develop¬ment of the next generation of high-speed pluggable transceiver market.

Cube Optics AG has demonstrated the first 100 Gbps ROSA incorporating an op¬tical demultiplexer, integrated four PIN detectors and a quad Trans-Impedance Ampli¬fier (TIA) receiving parallel optical LAN WDM signals each propagating at 25 Gbps over a single optical fiber.

The miniature size measuring only 15.2 x 12 x 6.5 mm and minimal power con¬sumption of typically only 250mW per channel facilitates realization of the next generation of pluggable 100 Gbps transceivers. The ROSA features OMA sensi¬tivities of well below -8.25dBm. The optical demultiplexer utilizes the 1295.56, 1300.05, 1304.58, 1309.14 nm channels of the LAN WDM IEEE grid. The core optical element comprising a com¬pact directly-reflecting multiplexing architecture draws on Cube Optics’ intellectual property and the company's fabrication expertise. The 100 Gbps LAN WDM ROSA will be on display at ECOC 2009 in Vienna. The stand-alone ROSA modules are currently available in demonstrations and assessment volumes and will be enter volume production in 2010. CUBO's is well on its way to complete the complement to the integrated to the receiver module: the Transmitter Optical SubAssemble or TOSA.

“The design, fabrication and assembly of the multi-lambda 100G ROSA was a challenge. We are very happy to have demonstrated with out¬standing performance the application of our unique optical integration capabilities in addressing the next generation of fiber optic transceivers. Our 100G ROSA marks the 3rd product in CUBO’s growing portfolio of high speed optical transceiver front-ends” com¬mented Ingo Smaglinski, the Chief Technical Officer of Cube Optics.

Cube Optics AG