Emcore Releases most compact CATV Transmitter
Mini-Tx 1.2 GHz, 1550 nm L-EML transmitter is capable of 44 dB Modulation Error Ratio performance
Optoelectronics firm Emcore has released what it believes is the most compact linear externally modulated laser (L-EML) CATV transmitter to date.
The Model 3644 Mini-Tx 1.2 GHz, 1550 nm transmitter will support links up to 100 km with all the core elements required for designers to quickly integrate the L-EML device technology into a variety of CATV transmitter platforms.
The L-EML technology breakthrough was invented, developed and is manufactured at Emcore. It consists of a high-power, low-noise, narrow linewidth laser combined with a proprietary highly-linearised modulator in a monolithic assembly.
It enables long distance optical link performance approaching traditional lithium niobate-based externally-modulated transmitters, but is much more cost-effective and far exceeds the performance of Distributed Feedback (DFB) laser-based systems, according to the company.
Emcore's new 3644 Mini-Tx is designed to support traditional Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC), Multi-Wavelength Node Splitting, Radio Frequency over Glass (RFoG) and RF overlay for Fibre-To-The-Premise (FTTP) applications. The platform supports RF loads of analogue, Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to 1218 MHz and is fully DOCSIS 3.1 compatible. The 3644 Mini-Tx achieves an exceptional Modulation Error Ratio (MER) of 44 dB across the entire operating band under full QAM load conditions. MER at the receiver is the key parameter for link performance in modern QAM based HFC networks. Additionally, there is an RF test port on-board with monitor and control via an RS-232 interface.
"Since their introduction, the acceptance of L-EML-based CATV transmitters has been tremendous," said Grant Olecko, senior product line director at Emcore. "Our customers asked us to expand on the form-factor options to allow them greater flexibility on how they integrate the technology into their platforms. With the new 3644 Mini-Tx we now have a wider range of form-factor options to satisfy broader customer and market requirements," added Olecko.
Emcore will show its new transmitter at ANGACOM 2018, June 12-14 at the Cologne Congress Centre, Cologne, Germany.
