Passive Network
AWGs
Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs) are one of the key components for constructing flexible and large-capacity WDM networks. The AWG is superior to filters consisting of thin-film interface filters and micro-optics, in that it offers low loss and high port count, and can be mass produced.
A wide variety of AWG-based multi/demultiplexers have been used in point-to-point WDMs, and optical cross-connect systems. A further advantage of AWGs is that they can be included in a more complex management system, such as OADMs (Optical Add Drop Multiplexers), or with VOAs (Variable Optical Attenuator).
Applications
AWG-based devices have been proven capable of precisely demultiplexing a high number of optical signals (carrying information at various wavelengths) with relatively low loss. They serve as multiplexers, demultiplexers, filters, and add-drop devices in optical WDM and DWDM applications:
- At the transmission point of a DWDM long-haul network, they can be used to multiplex the numerous WDM channels into one fibre before reaching the optical fibre amplifiers.
- They can also be used as demultiplexers at the receiver end of such systems.
- AWGs can be implemented in the OADM part of long-haul communication sytems.
- With the recent development and growth of the FTTx market, the AWGs are now also being used for CWDM applications, where a much lower number of transmitting optical signals is required.
Technology
Because the fabrication of the AWGs is based on standardized photolithographic techniques, the integration of the AWG offers many advantages such as compactness, reliability, large fabrication tolerances (no vertical etching), and significantly reduced fabrication and packaging costs.
The inherent advantages of the AWG also include precisely-controlled channel spacing (easily matched to the ITU grid), simple and accurate wavelength stabilization, low and uniform insertion loss, narrow and accurate channel spacing, large channel numbers and high stability.
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Austria - Europe
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