Directions in Amplification Technology Gregory J. Cowle September 2014, ECOC
Merchant Market Size Estimate $M Directions in Amplification Technology 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 Single ch EDFA EDFA Module EDFA subsystem Raman RamanEDFA 60 40 20 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Source: Ovum 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 2
Overview Briefly review historical role of amplification in WDM networks. Review networking drivers dictating amplifier design and types Review current trends in optical transport technology and implications for amplification technology. Indicate directions for amplification technology. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 3
Historical role The invention of the EDFA enabled WDM optical communications networks. Cost effective amplification in 1550nm window reduced or eliminated the need for regeneration. EDFA available bandwidth determined WDM window, gradually increased as technology evolved. WDM networks evolved around the performance of EDFAs. Some Raman amplification used in niche situations. Static mesh networks in use until the recent deployment of ROADMs. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 4
ROADMs and Agile Optical Amplifiers Transport networks designed around the performance of both ROADMs and EDFAs. ROADM Metro ROADM Optical amplification technology similar, but fast transient control important. DAC Heater Driver VOA Driver PD PD PD Laser 1 PD Laser 2 * PD PD TIA TIA Laser PD Driver Laser PD Driver TIA TIA High Speed ADC Low Speed ADC High Speed DAC High Speed DAC Low Speed ADC High Speed ADC FPGA 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 5
Technical evolution of optical amplifiers Fundamental technology of EDFA or Raman amplification has not changed since commercial optical amplification began. Component performance has enabled radically improved performance. Pump lasers with higher power and efficiency, Optical components with improved performance and space efficiency. Most significant improvement is fast transient control, required as WDM networks have evolved from OADM-based to ROADM-based. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 6
Recent market evolution of optical amplifiers Bandwidth demand, driven by internet and video traffic, has grown rapidly. Network operators have pushed for lower network cost. Key driver on optical amplification until recently was lower cost more important than performance. Pricing demand led to vendor consolidation. Initially vendors with strongest position were those with pump lasers and active components. As pump powers have increased and prices decreased overall vertical integration of components and manufacturing is key to market strength. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 7
Integration and emergence of super transport blade Shelf density has become a significant differentiator for NEMs. JDSU pioneered the super transport blade Mechanical, optical and firmware integration of adjacent functions to deliver density improvements 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 8
JDSU Twin 1x20 Flex Super Transport Blade TrueFlex Twin 1x20 WSS (LCOS) 2-port OCM PD Array (40ch) for all WSS Mux/Demux ports 24dBm Preamp EDFA with Switchable-Gain (0-35dB gain range) 23dBm Booster EDFA with Variable-Gain (15dB range) 1000mW of Raman output power (4l, depolarized) OSC termination Option for embedded OTDR 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 9
Today s amplification drivers Latest ROADM technology enabling CDC technology has created new amplifier demand and applications. Not just low cost, but performance required to enable CDC functionality. Flexible network architectures have high loss elements, require compensation. Demand for high power ingress amplifiers, intra-node amplifiers, line amplifiers and Raman-assisted amplification. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 10
Capacity bottleneck looms We want We get QPSK 16QAM Higher-level modulation formats require better OSNR Andrew D. Ellis, OFC2009 OMM 4: Modulation Formats Which Approach the Shannon Limit 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 11
What does this mean for amplification technology? Total system capacity is critical. Moving beyond 100G, high baud rates, complex modulation formats, super-channels, etc., Need to enhance OSNR to enable complex modulations formats in networks with high node loss. Dynamic optical networks ROADMs, Software defined networks High power transient controlled EDFAs Physical density improvements Full next-gen ROADM-degree on a single-slot linecard Improved Raman and EDFA density 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 12
OSNR OSNR requirements are resulting in, and additionally pointing to, new regimes of amplification. Raman/EDFA for 80km spans High power node amplifiers Intra-node/array amplifiers. Hybrid Raman OA Raman Raman ROADM Raman To enable dense solution high power and high efficiency 14xx and 980 nm pumps required. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 13
Raman and Raman/EDFA Key enabler for 100G and beyond. 2-4 wavelengths, depolarized Up to 1W, so pump efficiency key for dense solutions. Implemented with integrated gain control, safety features Hybrid implementation can yield some cost and performance efficiencies. Transmission Fiber NF, gain control EDFA Conventional Amplified System EDFA First Order Raman Pumps 14xx nm Future directions: Higher order Raman in more common use, co-prop 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 14
WSS WSS WSS WSS Node loss and OSNR High power EDFA before WSS loss 25 to 26 dbm. ROADM node express loss approaching span loss. Non-linearity not an issue, but WSS needs to tolerate loss. Still using conventional EDF technology with very high power pumps. Intra-node EDFA array Potential for pump sharing. Solution needs to be dense and power efficient. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 15
Customers willing to pay some level of premium for performance and functionality EDFAs High nonlinearities Pressures from: OSNR for capacity Operational simplicity Signal power [db] Raman amplification EDFA amplification Distance [Km] High noise Amplifiers previously niche now required for all applications: Raman/EDFA for OSNR Switchable gain EDFA for operational simplicity VG Example configuration 1x2 GFF FG GFF 2x1 FG/ VG 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 16
Noise Figure Noise Figure Noise Figure Switchable Gain and High Dynamic Gain Range EDFAs Two Gain Range Switchable OA Universal OA and linecard Similar overall NF performance Attractive on WSS linecard Switchable Gain EDFA Low Gain EDFA High Gain EDFA 5 15 25 Gain 35 Multi-Gain Range Switchable OA Purpose is to reduce overall NF Requires multiple gain regions Low Gain EDFA High Gain EDFA NF advantage is gain distribution dependent Switchable Gain EDFA 5 15 25 Gain 35 High Dynamic Gain Range OA Universal OA/linecard Smooth NF vs gain Low Gain EDFA High Dynamic Range EDFA High Gain EDFA 5 15 25 Gain 35 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 17
Technology Directions next 5 years Technologies and solutions which will continue to evolve: High performance transient-controlled EDFA Raman and Raman/EDFA C+L Higher-order Raman Co- and counter-raman Low cost diagnostic solutions Technologies unlikely to gain traction: SOA for mainstream WDM Parametric amplifiers other than for signal processing Multi-core amplifiers Highly integrated solutions increasingly important 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 18
Merchanct Market size estimate $M Technical Directions Aligned to Projected Market Growth 500 450 400 350 300 250 Single Ch Modules Subsystems Raman and Raman/EDFA growth to enable 100G and beyond 200 150 100 50 Raman RamanEDFA Subsystem growth due to product complexity and outsourcing trends 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 19
JDSU Approach to Amplification Market Requirements Best in class design and controls for Raman and EDFA Strong endorsements from tier1 customers world-wide. Deep design expertise in control optimization High-performance design regimes for class-leading solutions High dynamic gain range and switchable-gain High output power (>24dBm) Integrated EDFA/Raman High-density architectures Multiple Amplifiers (Preamp + Booster + Raman) on a linecard WSS + OCM + Amplifiers on a linecard ( ROADM-on-a-Blade or Super Transport Blade ) Amp array and Small Form Factor amplifier Highest level of vertical integration Pumps (980nm & Raman) Passives (single, array, hybrid) WSS, MCS and OCM 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 20
Directions in Amplification Technology Performance qualities of amplifiers are again critical to enable high capacity optical networks, in addition to cost. Amplification categories with key impact: Raman and Raman/EDFA Dense subsystems including switchable EDFA JDSU is in the best position to enable the directions in amplification technology, with key transport elements to provide dense cost effective solutions. 2013 JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 21