Optoplex Intros Hybrid

FREMONT, Calif. -- Optoplex today announced the introduction of a key coherent detection enabling device for QPSK (quadratural phase shift keying) demodulation - the 90° Optical Hybrid.

In today’s post-downturn telecom climate, the optical hybrid and its ability to introduce a QPSK modulation scheme is even more important in this extremely cost-sensitive era. The optical hybrid allows telecom players to preserve and maximize capital investments made in the pre-bubble deployment of fiber-optic networks. To date, these fiber-optic networks have not been easily upgraded to handle 40 Gb/s per wavelength channel due to excessive chromatic and polarization-mode dispersion within existing standard single-mode fiber links. By utilizing a QPSK modulation format effected through a 90° Optical Hybrid coupled with a local oscillator, networks are able to 1) extend transmission distances by leveraging signal amplification, 2) mitigate transmission impairments by simultaneously detecting amplitude, phase and polarization information and allowing corrections in the electronic domain, and 3) improve spectral efficiency and OSNR performance. QPSK detection using a 90° Optical Hybrid, transmits 2 bits or 4 bits (if using a polarization multiplexer) over standard single-mode fiber links; this innovation effectively allows 40 Gb/s transmissions while still using 10 Gb/s electronics. Network system can improve their signal speed by fourfold on existing deployed fiber links without using expensive high-speed electronic components.

Optoplex’s 6-port polarization-diversified 90° Optical Hybrid (commonly referred to as an optical mixer between the signal and local oscillator) is an underlying component in the adaptation to a QPSK modulation scheme. The optical hybrid converts and feeds complete amplitude, phase and polarization information of an optical signal to the photodetectors. Optoplex’s device, based on Michelson interferometer principles and implemented in free-space bulk optics, is athermal, compact and suitable for colorless applications. A cost-effective requisite in 40 Gb/s systems using QPSK modulation, coherent detection utilizing an optical hybrid and local oscillator will be the staging platform for future 100 Gb/s optical communication network systems. With this device in its product portfolio, Optoplex has strengthened its position as the pioneer in next-generation future-ready optical components.

Optoplex Corp.