| In today�s market, system manufacturers need to offer optimised systems in terms of size and cost to their customers-operators. Because optical cross-connects, metropolitan rings and access networks use amplifiers more and more often, Alcatel Optronics, France, offers the integration of several discrete EDFAs (2, 4, 6, or 8) in one single package, to save space and cost and to simplify on-board assembly. Furthermore, the French company has recently extended its compact optical amplifier range with the introduction of the first dual booster amplifier, the Alcatel 1926 MAM. Dedicated to optical cross-connects, metropolitan and access links, this new high-performance subsystem contains two single-channel Erbium-doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs) in one single package, yielding a 30% footprint reduction compared to two compact EDFAs. It improves equipment density and integration time at the system level, while reducing manufacturing and operating costs.
The dual Erbium-doped fibre amplifier Alcatel 1926 MAM is available in a configuration that can reach +17dBm (50mW) optical output power in the C-band (1,530 - 1,565nm). Although the 2 EDFAs are in the same package, each EDFA function is independent, each one using an internal 980nm pump module. These in-house manufactured pump modules maintain the amplifier�s low optical noise figure, typically < 5dB for an optical input power of �6dBm. Its low electrical consumption, less than 9W typically, is particularly attractive to system manufacturers. Moreover, the Alcatel 1926 MAM improves the fibre management by arranging all fibre pigtails on the same side of the package. Customised versions are available to further reduce integration time at the system level.
|
