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Finisar Introduces First Wavelength-Tunable XFP-RF Optical Transmitter for Cable Access Networks

10th October 2012

ES Admin

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Finisar Corporation today introduced the industry's first 1 GHz RF-modulated, widely-tunable optical transmitter in a Small-Form Factor module for cable operators' access networks. The XFP-RF transmitter can be designed into existing broadband optical platforms to double the density and halve the power consumption of transmitters in Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) networks. It can also be plugged directly into next-generation Cable Modem Termination Systems and QAM modulators with optical ports, saving space and power. Finisar will showcase its wavelength-tunable XFP-RF transmitter in a demonstration at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Orlando, Florida, October 17-19 in booth #2105.

Consumer demands for video and bandwidth services continue to rise. As a result, cable operators are deploying Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) in their access networks to dramatically increase the bandwidth available over their existing fiber infrastructure. Finisar's XFP-RF optical transmitter module introduces wide-band wavelength tuning to HFC networks, allowing the cable operator to tune it to 80 different DWDM wavelengths across the entire C-band in less than 500 milliseconds. Tunability eliminates the need for an inventory of transmitters at fixed wavelengths and eases the provisioning of complex DWDM networks. Wavelength-tunability also enables future, innovative architectures that can route services by managing the wavelengths of the HFC transmitters.

The XFP-RF transmitter utilizes Finisar's high-volume XFP manufacturing process being used for today's wavelength-tunable 10 Gb/s digital transceivers. It can be fully-loaded from 50 MHz to 1 GHz with a reach up to 40 km, and has operational bandwidth up to 1.2 GHz to accommodate frequency expansions in the cable access network. The performance is distance-agnostic so a single transmitter can be deployed for redundant paths to a node or to multiple nodes in a tapped architecture where the distance can vary greatly.

Finisar has combined its high-volume Small-Form Factor module capabilities, wavelength-tunable laser technology, and its extensive experience in CATV transmitters to advance optics for the next evolution of cable access networks, stated Shawn Esser, Director of Product Marketing for CATV products at Finisar. As cable operators continue to deploy more optics to segment their networks, our wavelength-tunable XFP-RF transmitter saves valuable space, reduces energy requirements and improves their operational flexibility. The XFP-RF transmitter deployed in existing optical platforms today is designed to be able to be re-deployed in next-generation infrastructure equipment designed with optical ports to future-proof cable operators' investment.