Tessera's DigitalOptics lens array for parallel optics

SAN JOSE, USA: Tessera Technologies Inc. is now offering its innovative laser monitoring technology in its customized DigitalOptics parallel optics lens array designs for next-generation transmit and transceiver modules that enable high-speed networks that run at higher data rates, and which can support 100 GB Ethernet.

As consumer demand for network bandwidth continues to grow and traffic over data routers increases, there is an emerging need for 100 GB-per-second Ethernet. These requirements impact data routing centers, which are clusters of network servers with multiple parallel connections transmitting data at extremely high speeds. These data rates can be achieved and maintained by in-line monitoring and adjustment of the power supplied to the laser sources as source characteristics or system demands change. Tessera now offers DigitalOptics lens modules that enable this in-line monitoring function.

“As data rates continue to rise, it becomes increasingly important to put a monitoring system in each network channel to better manage the increasing traffic in data routing centers,” said Kevin Drehmer, general manager, Wafer Level-Optics, Tessera. “Tessera’s patented laser monitoring technology we offer in our customized DigitalOptics parallel optics lens array designs enables active laser feedback at high data rates for more efficient use and enhanced transceiver performance for our customers.”

Tessera’s unique DigitalOptics parallel optics lens arrays couple the beams from an array of lasers into fiber arrays of various designs used in 1x12 transmitters and 4+4 transceivers. The source monitoring technology taps off a small part of each individual laser signal and sends it to a detector to monitor power levels. This enables the driver circuitry to actively adjust the current supplied to the laser to compensate for any observed changes in the laser output. This helps to ensure optimal laser performance in high data rate systems.

DigitalOptics parallel optics lens arrays that incorporate the source monitoring technology are field tested and commercially available, in volume, from Tessera now. Pricing varies depending on the type of lens array.

DigitalOptics solutions
Tessera has been recognized for its leadership in the areas of wafer-level design and manufacture of optical elements for more than 15 years. Tessera is able to fabricate optical components such as lenses, on a variety of materials, on one or both surfaces of a wafer, and in multi-wafer forms.

The company’s automated processes are capable of high-volume, high-precision, low-cost manufacturing of many innovative products. DigitalOptics solutions include diffractive optical elements (DOEs), such as the lenses used in off-axis illumination for lithography; refractive optical elements (ROEs), such as lens arrays; and integrated micro-optical subassemblies (IMOS), such as optical and electro-optic modules.