Fujitsu Develops High-Speed Multichannel Optical Switch Based on MEMS Mirrors; World's Fastest Switch Provides Key to Next-Generation Optical Networks.To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG JPEG in full Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard computer file format for storing graphic images in a compressed form for general use. JPEG images are compressed using a mathematical algorithm. images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption Photo Editors/High-Tech Writers ECOC-IOOC 2003 NOTE TO MEDIA: Multimedia assets available RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2003 Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. today announced the development of an 80-channel optical communications Optical communications The transmission of speech, data, video, and other information by means of the visible and the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. switch that adopts MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) Tiny mechanical devices that are built onto semiconductor chips and are measured in micrometers. In the research labs since the 1980s, MEMS devices began to materialize as commercial products in the mid-1990s. (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) mirrors (see figure 1). The new MEMS device, which integrates electrical circuitry and mechanical structures, achieves a switching speed of one millisecond One thousandth of a second. See space/time and ohnosecond. (unit) millisecond - (ms) One thousandth of a second, one thousand microseconds. A long time for a modern computer. , the fastest of any multi-channel optical switch to date. The new switch is expected to enable the development of Dynamic OADMs essential for next-generation optical transmission networks. Details of the technology used in this switch were presented at ECOC-IOOC 2003 (European Conference on Optical Communication/International Conference on Integrated Optics Combining electrical and optical components on the same silicon-based substrates used in the fabrication of a semiconductor chip. Also called "silicon photonics," fiber-optic communications employs numerous integrated optics devices, including lasers, photodetectors, beam splitters, and Optical Fibre Communications), held in Rimini, Italy starting September 21. Because of the need to efficiently transmit the massive amounts of data carried over high-speed Internet See broadband. connections, there has been an increase in demand for cross-connect equipment, which is required for the effective operation of fiber-optic networks and for network interconnections. With conventional equipment, however, optical signals need to be converted to electrical signals for processing, limiting the ultimate performance that could be achieved through wave-division multiplexing or other optical multiplexing techniques. The goal, therefore, has been to develop cross-connect equipment with all-optical switching so that the optical signals need not be converted. About the Technology Fujitsu's development depends on MEMS mirrors to bounce light beams. MEMS mirrors can be tilted to deflect the beam to different points in space, resulting, in this case, in a three-dimensional optical MEMS-mirror switch. There are three key features of this technology -- rapid switching, a compact optical switching fabric, and an optic power-level feedback mechanism. Rapid switching: A notch filter (i.e., a filter that eliminates a specified narrow bandwidth frequency from a signal consisting of frequencies of a given bandwidth) in the MEMS mirror serves to suppress the mechanical resonance (a phenomenon whereby the input of an external signal at a certain frequency induces strong vibrations) that normally occurs when switching the optical signal. The notch filter eliminates just the MEMS mirror's resonant frequency resonant frequency, n the specific frequency at which an object vibrates. from the driving electrical waveform. The use of this control technology and a special comb-driven rapid-response MEMS mirror array developed by Fujitsu enables faster switching times (use of a comb-shaped electrode structure to drive the MEMS mirrors results in greater driving power than with a planar A technique developed by Fairchild Instruments that creates transistor sublayers by forcing chemicals under pressure into exposed areas. Planar superseded the mesa process and was a major step toward creating the chip. structure). Compact optical switching fabric: Fujitsu developed a folded optical switch fabric configuration whereby the input beam is reflected through a roof-type retro-reflector on its way to the output (see figure 2). Compared to flat mirrors, this configuration halves the length of the optical path, making for a more compact switch overall. Optic power-level feedback mechanism: The tilt of the MEMS mirrors is precisely controlled thanks to a feedback loop in a built-in control function, which maintains the optical power at a fixed level. This makes it possible to compensate for variations in the power levels of each channel and also eliminates the need to have variable optical external to the switch. The combination of these three technologies results in a switch with 1 millisecond switching speed, compact dimensions (150 x 400 x 300 mm) and optical power stability within +/-0.5 dB. Some of this research was conducted on behalf of the Telecommunications Advancement Organization of Japan under a contract for the research and development of photonic networking using optical burst switching Optical Burst Switching (OBS) is an experimental switching paradigm representing an intermediate solution between circuit (wavelength) and packet switching in optical networks. . About Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Limited is one of the premier research centers in the world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Multimedia, Personal Systems, Networks, Peripherals, Advanced Materials Advanced Materials is a leading peer-reviewed materials science journal published every two weeks. Advanced Materials includes Communications, Reviews, and Feature Articles from the cutting edge of materials science, including topics in chemistry, physics, and Electronic Devices. Internet: http://www.labs.fujitsu.com/ About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fujitsu Limited (TSE See Tokyo Stock Exchange. TSE 1. See Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). 2. See Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE). : 6702), is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and carrier-class telecommunications solutions for the Service Provider and Cable TV market in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . Supported by smart innovation and deep-rooted research from Fujitsu Labs, Fujitsu is uniquely positioned to deliver fully integrated IT/Telecom solutions for its customers. The company's comprehensive consulting and customer services offer support at any network design, development, deployment and maintenance stage. For more news and information, please visit http://www.fnc.fujitsu.com. Note: Photos available at URLs: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.092903/bb19 http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.092903/bb19a |
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