Abstract

As the demand for communication bandwidth has increased, there has been a simultaneous need developing for increased channel density in optical networking equipment such as switches and routers. One of the limitations in the number of connections that can be accommodated on line card edges is the size of transceiver modules. Typically, small form factor modules can be packed at about two per inch. Supporting framer and switch electronics can handle densities several times higher making the optical components the main limitation on port density. In addition, reduced power consumption per channel is strongly desirable, since higher densities increase both the total power consumption and heat dissipation. An attractive opportunity is therefore to use laser arrays coupled to fiber ribbon cable to achieve more channels within a chassis.

© 2002 Optical Society of America