Laser Light Sources to enable ultra-wide spectral bandwidth for Optical Communications
- Increasing capacity of Metro and Long-haul optical communication networks for 5G and beyond -

June 7, 2021

  • Laser light source for SUPER C-band and SUPER L-band optical communication.
  • 6 THZ wide tuning-range micro-ITLA and Raman pump laser covering 1,330 nm to 1,520 nm wide laser-wavelength range realized by low-loss waveguide technology.
  • Increasing capacity of Metro and Long-haul optical communication networks for 5G and beyond.

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (Head Office: 2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Keiichi Kobayashi; hereafter "Furukawa Electric") has developed the new laser light source products for wide-band optical communication for SUPER C-band and SUPER L-band, the wide tuning range micro-ITLA (Integrable Tunable Laser Assembly) and the pump laser diode modules for Raman amplifiers with expanded supporting wavelength range.

Background

Increasing the capacity of Metro and Long-haul optical communication networks will be essential in the implementation of 5G. Higher bit-rate make the bandwidth per optical channel wider that needs channel spacing greater than the traditional 50GHz and wider spectral bandwidth per fiber to contain the same number of channels. In addition, Raman amplifiers will be used for better singal-to-noise ratio with this wide-bandwidth and high-speed transmission.
So far Furukawa Electric has commercialized micro-ITLAs and pump laser diode modules for Raman amplifiers for traditional C-band and L-band, and this time, we have extended its supporting wavelength range to Super C-band and Super L-band. These are also expected to be basic technologies that will support the future all-photonics network.

Details

Furukawa Electric has lined up micro-ITLAs and Raman pump laser diode modules for wider wavelength range using its lower loss waveguide technology by optimizing designs based on crystal growth and precision semiconductor processing cultivated for over 20 years. Both product groups achieve industry-leading levels of optical performance.

< Wavelength ranges of new and conventional products >

Multi-channel micro-ITLA

As bandwidth increases, wider tuning range micro-ITLA is required for coherent optical communication. To cope with this, we have developed a micro-ITLA with wavelength range expanded from 96 to 120 channels for 50 GHz spacing. The available bandwidth has expanded from the conventional C-band: 191.300 - 196.100 THz (4.8 THz width) to Super C-band: 190.675 - 196.675 THz (6 THz width). In the same way it will also be possible to expand bandwidth from the conventional L-band: 186.350 - 190.700 THz (4.35 THz width) to Super L-band: 184.350 - 190.500 THz (6.15 THz width).

Pumping laser diode modules for Raman amplifiers

The wide bandwidth transmission requires the expansion in Raman Pump laser wavelength as well. With the new developed pump laser diode modules, the wavelength range that can be specified for 400/500/600 mW products expanded greatly from 1420 - 1510 nm to 1330 - 1520 nm.

Main product specifications

Multi-channel micro-ITLA
Type name FJLCAVxxFS6B FJLLAVxxFS6B
Tuning wavelength range (THz) 190.675 - 196.675 184.350 - 190.500
Tuning wavelength range (nm) 1525.359 - 1573.358 1574.803 - 1627.339
Optical output (mW)  Up to 18 dBm Up to 16 dBm
Line width 100 kHz - 200 kHz -

Pumping laser diode modules for Raman amplifiers
Type name FOL14XX Series
Optical output power (mW) 600 500
Power consumption (W) Max 10 Max 7.5
Operating conditions Ts = 35°C, Tc=70°C (EOL)
Wavelength (nm) 1330 - 1520 nm

Furukawa Electric will continue to support the development of telecommunications based on R&D on high-performance laser light source products and to contribute to the realization of safe, peaceful and rewarding daily life.

Furukawa Electric Group’s efforts towards the SDGs

Based on the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” adopted by the United Nations, the Furukawa Electric Group has formulated the “Furukawa Electric Group Vision 2030” which sets the year 2030 as its target and is advancing efforts with the aim to “Build a sustainable world and make people’s life safe, peaceful and rewarding, Furukawa Electric Group will create solutions for the new generation of global infrastructure combining information, energy and mobility.” Toward the achievement of our Vision 2030, we will take open, agile, and innovative approaches to promote ESG management that that aims to increase corporate value over the medium to long term and will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.