Lightconnect Updates VOA

NEWARK, Calif. -- Lightconnect, a leading supplier of MEMS optical components, today announced a new variable optical attenuator with polarization maintaining fiber for power control and receiver protection in next generation optical networks. The new FVOA5200 has outstanding reliability and uses the same compact package as that of the Lightconnect FVOA5000, which is the first and only MEMS VOA to pass over 5000 hours of damp heat testing.

The FVOA5200 leads the industry with exceptional optical performance, low insertion loss and high extinction ratio. This VOA is available with Panda 250 micron, Panda 400 micron fiber or similar fiber. It has a dynamic range greater than 50dB (typical), with either normally bright or dark configurations. It has a compact body size at 5.4 mm x 18 mm, and unlike other MEMS VOAs, it consumes less than 0.5 mW of electrical power.

This new VOA builds on Lightconnect’s portfolio of proven attenuators, including the FVOA2000, FVOA3000, FVOA4000 and FVOA5000, which are already shipping in volumes. Lightconnect’s proprietary MEMS technology passes both in-situ and ex-situ shock and vibration tests and the device is protected from ESD damage up to 2000V. Furthermore, the hermetic package provides a long and stable life, even in harsh operating conditions.“Lightconnect is already the #1 supplier of VOAs in the world,” said Matthew Heydinger, Director of Marketing at Lightconnect, “and we are investing in R&D to provide solutions to our customers, now and in the future. The FVOA5200 is ideal for any new system that requires polarization maintaining VOAs.”

Lightconnect also announced a new, smaller 8-channel VOA module. With a 48 x 39 x 8.6 mm size, this module has a 30% smaller footprint and almost 50% smaller volume than the previous version. It is available with standard SMF-28e fiber, or with polarization maintaining fiber. Furthermore, it can be easily adapted to 5, 7, 9 or 10 channel configurations.

“The previous 8-channel module quickly became the industry standard,” said Matthew Heydinger, “and this module is a smaller version with better performance and higher reliability than PLC-based VOAs. Moreover, with Lightconnect’s aggressive pricing, it is a much better value.”

Lightconnect Inc.