Press Releases

NeoPhotonics Announces New Variable Power Intradyne Coherent Receiver (VICR) for High-Capacity 100G Optical Networks

New VICR is Designed to Improve Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Increase Coincident Channel Count in “Colorless” 100G Coherent Systems

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 15, 2013-- NeoPhotonics Corporation (NYSE: NPTN), a leading designer and manufacturer of photonic integrated circuit, or PIC, based modules and subsystems for bandwidth-intensive, high speed communications networks, today announced a new 100G Variable Power Intradyne Coherent Receiver (VICR). The PIC-based VICR integrates a variable optical attenuator (VOA) on the signal path and is designed to increase dynamic range and improve the optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) for both single channel and multiple coincident signals. This capability is designed to enable service providers to better manage network capacity in colorless coherent networks. NeoPhotonics is currently sampling the VICR and expects to enter general availability with this product in the second half of 2013.

Core networks are rapidly moving towards more efficient “colorless” operation, meaning that ROADM add and drop ports are not limited to fixed predetermined wavelength channels. Instead, a tunable transmitter can connect any wavelength to any add port and the ROADM can route any wavelength to any drop port receiver. Colorless operation improves the efficiency of valuable line cards and transponders in coherent transport networks, where a single DWDM channel carries 100Gbps of information.

In coherent optical communications systems the colorless channel drop operation is enabled by using the local oscillator laser and the VICR to select the receive channel, eliminating the need for a terminal optical filter. The VICR then detects the signal channel to which the local oscillator laser is matched, but all other channels are outside the device bandwidth. In colorless applications the remaining channels are not filtered out optically, so the incoming signal power to the VICR can vary significantly depending on how many other channels are present, resulting in up to 100 times higher power falling on the receiver than in the single channel case. The NeoPhotonics VICR integrates a PIC variable optical attenuator that provides control and stability to the input signal. In both colorless and conventional optically filtered systems, the VOA also improves performance by allowing system selection of the optimal operating point to enhance OSNR and reduce the effects of optical impairments such as polarization dependent loss (PDL).

“We are pleased to add the VICR to our extensive line of PIC based intradyne coherent receivers,” said Tim Jenks, Chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics. “The VICR illustrates the power of photonic integration to provide additional functionality to our existing products, which are designed to benefit our customers with improved performance in the same form factor and simplified board layouts.”

NeoPhotonics is showcasing the VICR alongside its existing product portfolio, including other intradyne coherent receivers and narrow linewidth tunable lasers for 100G coherent communications, its 100G CFP and CFP2 transponders for client side transmission and an extensive line of OLT transceivers for FTTH PON networks, at the OFC Exhibition in Anaheim, California (March 19-21, 2013, Anaheim Convention Center, Booth 1601).

In addition, NeoPhotonics personnel are participating in a workshop and a panel devoted to PON access applications and presenting a paper on ROADM-based wavelength agility:

• Dr. David Piehler, Chief Scientist, Access Products, will discuss the topic, “Statistical WDM is antifragile,” in Workshop OM1D: Can Access Networks Afford to be Wavelength Agile?, Monday, March 18^th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in Room: 303D. This workshop will examine architectural and cost considerations in the coming multi-wavelength PON systems and optical distribution networks (ODN).
• Also on Monday, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM in Room: 304C, Dr. Piehler will give a presentation on “Scaling PON OLT port utilization – HFC style,” in connection with Panel NM3J: PONs as Used by MSOs. This panel will consider the role of PON architectures for commercial and residential services in MSO networks and the timing of PONs in the residential sector.
• Dr. Winston Way, Chief Systems Architect, and two co-authors from NEC Laboratories America, will present the paper: “Contention resolution within colorless and directionless ROADM,” Wednesday March 20^th, 8:00 AM in Room: 304C.

About NeoPhotonics

NeoPhotonics is a leading designer and manufacturer of photonic integrated circuit, or PIC, based optoelectronic modules and subsystems for bandwidth-intensive, high-speed communications networks. The company’s products enable cost-effective, high-speed data transmission and efficient allocation of bandwidth over communications networks. NeoPhotonics maintains headquarters in San Jose, California and ISO 9001:2000 certified engineering and manufacturing facilities in Silicon Valley (USA) and Shenzhen, China. For additional information, visit www.neophotonics.com.

© 2013 NeoPhotonics Corporation. All rights reserved. NeoPhotonics and the red dot logo are trademarks of NeoPhotonics Corporation. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions and current expectations. The company’s actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: acceptance by customers of the VICR or the timing of such acceptance may not be as the company expects; the timing of or costs related to the development, general availability and performance and production of the VICR may not be as the company expects; the demand for the VICR may be volatile or lower than the company expects; demand for the VICR could decrease from the company’s expectations due to general conditions in the telecommunications equipment industry, changes in network architectures, or the world economy generally, and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in the company’s documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: NeoPhotonics Corporation

LouVan Communications Inc.
Michael Newsom, +1 508-530-3121 (Office) or +1 617-803-5385 (Mobile)
mike@louvanpr.com