As the consumer demand for network bandwidth persists to grow and traffic over data routers enhances, there is a requirement for 100 GB-per-second Ethernet. These needs impact data routing centers that are clusters of network servers with multiple parallel connections transmitting data at extremely high speeds. These data rates can be attained and maintained by in-line monitoring and adjustment of power supplied to the laser sources as source characteristics or system demands change. Tessera provides DigitalOptics lens modules that allow 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,” stated 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.”

The source monitoring technology clips a small part of each individual laser signal and sends it to a detector to monitor the power levels. This allows the driver circuitry to actively adjust the current supplied to the laser to compensate for any observed changes in laser output. This assists to ensure the optimal laser performance in high data rate systems.

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

DigitalOptics Solutions:

Tessera is able to fabricate optical components like lenses, on various 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 new products. The new DigitalOptics solutions incorporate diffractive optical elements (DOEs), like the lenses utilized in off-axis illumination for lithography, refractive optical elements (ROEs), like lens arrays; and integrated micro-optical subassemblies (IMOS), like optical and electro-optic modules.

Tessera is a US-based developer and supplier of miniaturization solutions.