Optoplex, the leader in dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) component and subsystem technology, today introduced the first tunable mux/demux solution and tunable optical add/drop module (OADM) with Tunable Optoplexing™ technology.

Tunable Optoplexing™ makes it possible to add or remove any wavelength from the optical beam, independent of channel spacing, without separating out all the component wavelengths. This is Optoplex's key enabling technology aimed at providing fiber optic communications network designers and system houses network components that increase flexibility, improve performance of signal add/drop, and enable more efficient use of available bandwidth -- all this for a fraction of the cost of today's leading-edge systems.

The current generation of dynamically reconfigurable DWDM subsystems enables wavelengths to be added or dropped at network nodes based on arrays of fixed-wavelength optical switches. These systems are inherently complex, limited in their ability to access and direct individual wavelengths, and difficult to maintain. Although the communications industry may be willing at present to tolerate these drawbacks, the large losses introduced into the network by virtue of their design requires the addition of expensive fiber amplifiers. The resultant maximum distance the data signals can travel in an optical fiber before requiring amplification or regeneration is greatly reduced. The additional cost of amplifiers and maintenance would make such systems prohibitive for typical metropolitan area networks.

Tunable multiplexing and tunable dynamically reconfigurable OADMs enable dynamic routing of wavelengths, dramatically simplifying the ability to add or drop channels, without the need for complex and expensive optical switches. In conjunction with new tunable laser technology, tunable DWDM components will fundamentally change the architecture of next generation optical networks, adding increased flexibility, higher reliability and significantly lower cost.

"The first generation technologies enabling today's optical networks were focused on increasing capacity," said Andy Zhou, President and CEO of Optoplex Corporation. "Next generation technologies will increasingly focus on network flexibility and the inherent benefits of tunability for complete wavelength management across the network. We predict that in several years all optical networks will be moving into tunable and dynamically wavelength reconfigurable and the build-out will begin with these new products from Optoplex."

The tunable 40-channel mux/demux with 100GHz channel spacing and the tunable OADM with 100GHz channel spacing are developed through a combination of optical coating and module design innovations and manufactured with scalable to volume production and high quality production methods. Both devices will be available in sample quantities for testing in June 2001.

For more information, please write to info@optoplex.com or call (510) 490-9930.