Infineon Announces Industry's Most Integrated Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer - Highest Level of Integration Yields Most Cost-Effective ROADM Solution for High-Density Optical Networks
Anaheim, Calif. Mar. 19, 2002 At the Optical Fiber Communication Conference here today, Infineon Technologies (FSE/NYSE: IFX) introduced its 20-Channel Reconfigurable Add/Drop Multiplexer (Smart ROADM) module, which addresses the needs of the rapidly growing dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) market. The Smart ROADM is the only device currently available that combines on one chip all of the functionality required to add and drop and power equalize wavelengths within an optical network, including demultiplexer, multiplexer, switch matrix, variable optical attenuator, optical power monitors and separate control electronics. This high level of integration eliminates the space occupied by and the expense of the multiple devices required with other solutions.
Shown at Infineons OFC booth (number 3812), the new 20 channel reconfigurable OADM module emphasizes Infineons unique combination of electrical and optical competencies and enables it to provide its customers with the most advanced and cost-effective solutions for their networking needs. The Smart ROADM is primarily intended for DWDM core metropolitan area network (MAN) and long-haul applications, and for the implementation of advanced, all-optical networks.
The wide acceptance of the Internet is creating an exponential, and unanticipated, growth in communications demand, and many carriers are turning to WDM to achieve the necessary increase in the capacity of their existing fiber networks, said Erwin Wolf, VP of Infinoens Communications Business Group and General manager of the Fiber Optics Bussiness Unit. Accelerating availability of DWDM products, such as the ROADM, where bandwidth can be switched on demand, will enable a more effective and flexible usage of existing networks required for future applications. As a leading semiconductor supplier to the communications market, Infineon supports its customers by providing the powerful, flexible and cost-effective devices they need, such as the Smart ROADM.
Within a DWDM system, it is often desirable to be able to add or drop one or more wavelengths on-demand, a function that is performed by an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM). Rather than combining or separating all wavelengths, the OADM can drop some while passing others on. The first OADMs were fixed devices that needed to be physically configured to drop specific predetermined wavelengths while adding others. The second generation, such as the Infineon Smart ROADM, is highly integrated, reconfigurable and can dynamically select which wavelengths are added and dropped. One of the major benefits of a ROADM is that it eliminates the cost of having a service person travel to manually configure the devices. In addition, firmware can be updated or replaced remotely without service interruption.
The Infineon Smart ROADM provides 20 fully reconfigurable channels, with a drop/continue capability that allows up to 50 per cent of a signal to be dropped from a channel while the remaining 50 per cent is routed through to another destination. Unlike other solutions, its on-chip features include variable optical attenuators for equalization of all drop and through ports, as well as optical power monitoring of all ports. The included self-calibrating electronic controller with a standard RS-232 interface allows easy communication with higher level network control electronics for fast and easy integration into existing network architectures. The control electronics also include look-up tables for calibrating, error tables and an internal temperature controller.
Fabricated using Infineons SiO2/Si process, the 20-channel Smart ROADM is packaged in a small-footprint, 150mm x 150 mm x 59 mm module. Engineering samples will be available in March, with small-volume pricing at US $20,000.
Shown at Infineons OFC booth (number 3812), the new 20 channel reconfigurable OADM module emphasizes Infineons unique combination of electrical and optical competencies and enables it to provide its customers with the most advanced and cost-effective solutions for their networking needs. The Smart ROADM is primarily intended for DWDM core metropolitan area network (MAN) and long-haul applications, and for the implementation of advanced, all-optical networks.
The wide acceptance of the Internet is creating an exponential, and unanticipated, growth in communications demand, and many carriers are turning to WDM to achieve the necessary increase in the capacity of their existing fiber networks, said Erwin Wolf, VP of Infinoens Communications Business Group and General manager of the Fiber Optics Bussiness Unit. Accelerating availability of DWDM products, such as the ROADM, where bandwidth can be switched on demand, will enable a more effective and flexible usage of existing networks required for future applications. As a leading semiconductor supplier to the communications market, Infineon supports its customers by providing the powerful, flexible and cost-effective devices they need, such as the Smart ROADM.
Within a DWDM system, it is often desirable to be able to add or drop one or more wavelengths on-demand, a function that is performed by an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM). Rather than combining or separating all wavelengths, the OADM can drop some while passing others on. The first OADMs were fixed devices that needed to be physically configured to drop specific predetermined wavelengths while adding others. The second generation, such as the Infineon Smart ROADM, is highly integrated, reconfigurable and can dynamically select which wavelengths are added and dropped. One of the major benefits of a ROADM is that it eliminates the cost of having a service person travel to manually configure the devices. In addition, firmware can be updated or replaced remotely without service interruption.
The Infineon Smart ROADM provides 20 fully reconfigurable channels, with a drop/continue capability that allows up to 50 per cent of a signal to be dropped from a channel while the remaining 50 per cent is routed through to another destination. Unlike other solutions, its on-chip features include variable optical attenuators for equalization of all drop and through ports, as well as optical power monitoring of all ports. The included self-calibrating electronic controller with a standard RS-232 interface allows easy communication with higher level network control electronics for fast and easy integration into existing network architectures. The control electronics also include look-up tables for calibrating, error tables and an internal temperature controller.
Packaging, Price and Availability
Fabricated using Infineons SiO2/Si process, the 20-channel Smart ROADM is packaged in a small-footprint, 150mm x 150 mm x 59 mm module. Engineering samples will be available in March, with small-volume pricing at US $20,000.
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions for applications in the wired and wireless communications markets, for security systems and smartcards, for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as memory products. With a global presence, Infineon operates in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. In the fiscal year 2001 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 5.67 billion with about 33,800 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). Further information is available at www.infineon.com.
Copyright © 2002 Infineon Technologies North America Corp. All rights reserved. Infineon and the stylized Infineon Technologies design are registered trademarks and service marks of Infineon Technologies AG. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Information Number
INFCOM200203.060e