Advances in Remote Amplified Modulator Developments for Applications from 10Gb/s WDM Access to 100Gb/s Core Networks

Amplified electro-absorption modulators provide a realistic solution for colorless 10 Gb/s uncooled ONUs. Integrated photonic functions of this component open also new possibilities for multiformat single chip duplexers and QPSK line modulators. Introduction Electro-Absorption Modulators are ones of the most energy efficient electro-optic converters. They may play important role in power consumption reduction required for future telecom equipment. When used in Photonic Integrated Circuits they can realise E/O functions traditionally restricted to more consuming semi-conductor or LiNbO3 MachZehnder Modulators. Although our interest is primarily focused on colourless WDM access applications for the cost-size-consumption effectiveness of EA-based PICs, more complex circuits are also showing excellent performances as long-haul QPSK modulators. The most cost sensitive component is the end-user adapter ONU/ONT (Optical Network Unit/Termination) Its 15-years old development story teaches that low cost requires uncooled Optical Sub-Assemblies (TOSA, ROSA) compatible with TO-CAN type receptacles. As for the 10 Gb/s GE-PON 1 standard , it is very likely that in the next 3-5 years, the NGA optical technology should obey very similar or even more demanding 2 requirement constraints . Therefore, the colorless approach, consisting of wavelength agnostic Optical Network Units (ONU) and remote wavelength feeding, is a very attractive and realistic solution. This is due to its expected cost effectiveness.