Optical Filters: Filter stacks transmit wide-angle incident light without shifting wavelength(2)

To avoid the problem of color change versus incidence angle in an optical system, thin-film-coated filter elements can be replaced by a filter consisting of a stack of different filter glasses.

JASON KECK

Wide-angle filter stack apps

There is a multitude of applications for this type of filter. In the field of digital imaging, colorimeters-which take wideband spectral energy readings-are used to profile and calibrate display devices, verifying that pixel color and intensity at the edge of a display matches the performance of pixels in the center of the display.

In astronomy, biomedical or fluorescence imaging, and mineralogy, hyperspectral imaging has many important applications. It is essential that the incident light undergo as little iridescence as possible. Also, when precision imaging instruments are expensively launched into orbit, the filters must be robust enough to withstand extreme environmental operating conditions.

In agriculture, the color of crops or food products reveals vital information. The use of Earth-observing satellites to measure the “vegetation index” of crops (a measurement of green hue) is nothing new, but the affordability of aerial drones has brought new possibilities. A drone can be programmed with GPS data to fly on a fixed pattern over a designated crop area and take wide-angle images at regular intervals, building up a picture of the vegetation index of crops. If the images used in such applications provide accurate spectral data that is as free as possible from iridescent distortion, it can give farmers precise control over fertilizer application rates and greatly improve efficiency and productivity. This is a considerable cost saving over low-resolution, narrowband satellite imagery and conventional aerial photography using manned aircraft.

Design hurdles

There are three complicating factors in the design of such filter stacks. The first is the limited choice in filter glass, limited not only by manufacturer availability but also by physics. Filter glass with an ideal edge cut-on or cut-off wavelength for an application is not always easy to find, or may be impossible to precisely manufacture. Where it is available, the designer is then limited by what the manufacturer can deliver in a reasonable time, as melts may be scheduled as infrequently as once every several years, depending on demand.

The second factor is that, while the perfect filter glass for a particular application may not exist, there are hundreds of other glass types from numerous vendors that can be combined to achieve a close approximation of the requirement.

The third complicating factor is that the design of ColorLock filters is a massively multidimensional, nonsmooth optimization challenge. Physical manufacturing requirements restrict the thickness of all combined individual layers to not exceed the overall thickness requirement of the resulting optical component, further putting restrictions on the selection of specific CWDM filter glass types.

Reynard streamlined this complex design process by developing in-house software into which all of the system requirements are fed. The software produces a manufacturable design for a filter in which the necessary materials are combined at the correct thickness in each layer. The design is then manufactured and validated for performance.

About DK Photonics

DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com specializes in designing and manufacturing of high quality optical passive components such as 8CH CWDM Module,100GHz 8CH DWDM,200GHz DWDM,Mini-size CWDM,compact CWDM,Athermal AWG DWDM Module,100GHz AWG,Thermal AWG DWDM Module,1310/1490/1550nm FWDM, PLC Splitter, Optical Circulator,Optical Isolator,Fused Coupler,Mini Size Fused WDM.

Optical Filters: Filter stacks transmit wide-angle incident light without shifting wavelength(1)

To avoid the problem of color change versus incidence angle in an optical system, thin-film-coated filter elements can be replaced by a filter consisting of a stack of different filter glasses.

JASON KECK

Wide-angle imaging systems have to overcome numerous problems. Distortion of the shape of objects in the scene is the predominant issue, recognizable as the “fish-eye lens” look that is often corrected in software. However, lens distortion is not the only problem.

Iridescence, or the change in transmitted or reflected color of light viewed from different angles, is a phenomenon that can be found both in nature and in artificial light-detecting systems with precise color requirements, where it can cause many problems.

Wide-angle color-sensing applications commonly require that a CWDM wavelength must be detectable regardless of the incident angle. Iridescence through a thin-film-coated optical element can cause problems in this situation by distorting the spectral transmission of light coming from peripheral objects.

Maximizing light transmission in a thin-film WDM coating’s passband while blocking out-of-band light is a requirement for coated optical components such as dielectric filters; however, the wavelength’s transition commonly only remains steady within relatively narrow cone angles. Beyond angles of 5°, such filters are susceptible to iridescence, observable as a change of color, or “blueshift.” As the angle of light entering the filter increases, the light propagates through more of each thin-film stack layer, altering the apparent overall thickness of the optical-filter stack and affecting the performance of the original intended design. This can make such filters unsuitable for wide-angle imaging applications with bright illumination and where higher standards of consistency are required of the wavelength of all incident light.

One of the more convoluted wide-angle imaging solutions is the use of a cluster of cameras or a polycamera, pointing in various directions like the compound eye of an insect; the resulting multiple pictures are then assembled into one image in software. Although the light entering each camera thus fills only a narrow cone angle, the complexity and resultant high expense of such a system is obvious.

Engineers at Reynard have addressed this problem in a single optical device with a system in which two or more layers of filter glass are combined into a stacked configuration. These ColorLock filter stacks eliminate the wavelength shift as incident angle increases and are customized to meet specific system needs.

Software is used to determine the exact composition and thickness of the layers in these filters; the software determines a merit function that best estimates the filter requirements and allows filter stacks to be designed for band pass, short-wave pass, long-wave pass, or user-specified functions. Incident angles can be as high as 50° without any shift in the transmitted wavelength, while more traditional coated filters with the same conditions would see a significant shift toward shorter wavelengths.

About DK Photonics

Fiber Media Converters in Private Datacom Market Forecast (March 2014)

Fiber Media Converters in Private DatacomMarket Forecast (March 2014)

According to ElectroniCast, the global use of fiber media converters in private datacom networks is expected to reach $1.29 billion in 2014…

Aptos, CA (USA) – March 20, 2014 —ElectroniCast Consultants, a leader in fiber optic market research, announced the release of a new market analysis of the worldwide use of fiber optic / Fiber media converters in private data communications. A fiber media converter is a networking device that makes it possible to connect two dissimilar media types such as copper with fiber optic cabling, as well as (different) fiber-to-fiber (F2F), such as multimode to single mode optical fiber.

The worldwide value for selected fiber media converters used in private datacom networks reached $1.07 billion in 2013. The consumption value is forecast increase with strongly rising quantity growth partially offset by declining average prices.

The EMEA and the APAC regions are forecast for double-digit consumption value growth during the timeline covered in this study (2013-2018); however, the American region’s growth is forecast to “flatten” and eventually turn to negative. The worldwide use of private datacom fiber media converters, which are specified in the ElectroniCast market study, is forecast to peak at $1.646 billion in 2017, before slipping to $1.628 billion in 2018.

“The fiber media converters researched in this market study are typically used within an existing Private Enterprise Data Centers (DCs) and Local Area Networks (LANs), as well as other non-public data communication links. They are often used to connect newer 100-Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet, 10G, or other equipment in existing networks, which are generally (copper-based) 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, or a mixture of both,” stated Stephen Montgomery, Director of the Fiber Optics Components group at ElectroniCast Consultants.

“Several factors make the conversion from copper to optical fiber a good choice, such as – longer link lengths in campuses and industrial plants; resistance to electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference (EMI/RFI) may be necessary; and wider bandwidth capability, just to point-out a few examples,” Montgomery added.

The strong user demand for greater bandwidth and increased interconnectivity to the desktop, throughout the buildings, campuses, from LAN-to-LAN (Metropolitan Area Network – MAN) continues in 2014.

This is matched by rapidly growing demand for global broadband interconnectivity. Interactive multimedia terminals, triple play (voice, video and data), quadruple-play (adding mobility as a communications function to the network), and numerous other dynamics/ applications, continuing bring rapid access to massive databases, which increase productivity while providing rapid ROI (return on investment).

Such expanded capability, however, must often be obtained without making the current network elements obsolete. Local area network (LAN) applications illustrate this trend. LANs are becoming larger and more complex. Reconfiguration, relocation, and extension of LANs are occurring more frequently, due to organization restructuring, advances in computer usage, and the trend toward decentralized computing.

These changes to LAN cabling represent a major ongoing operational expense and a disruption of work for many companies (enterprises). For example, adding capabilities often requires that network administrators upgrade their existing LANs to another media type: for example, copper-to-fiber, multimode-to-singlemode fiber, or even singlemode –to- different types of singlemode optical fiber (note: copper-to-copper conversion is not covered in the study). By using media converters, the network administrator can achieve these upgrades inexpensively.

According to ElectroniCast, the global use of fiber media converters in private datacom reached $1.07 billion in 2013 and is forecast to peak at $1.646 billion in 2017, before slipping to $1.628 billion in 2018.

Private Datacom Fiber Media Converter Global Market Forecast,
(Value Basis, $ Million) – Source: ElectroniCast Consultants

Note: Market forecast data in this study report refers to consumption (use) for a particular calendar year; therefore, this data is not cumulative data.

DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com specializes in designing and manufacturing of high quality optical passive components mainly for telecommunication, fiber sensor and fiber laser applications,such as PLC Splitter, WDM, FWDM, CWDM, DWDM, OADM,Optical Circulator, Isolator, PM Circulator, PM Isolator, Fused Coupler, Fused WDM, Collimator, Optical Switch and Polarization Maintaining Components, Pump Combiner, High power isolator, Patch Cord and all kinds of connectors.

Where can WDM-PON go next? — DK Photonics

Where can WDM-PON go next?

The current generation of commercial WDM-PON/ 100GHz DWDM systems based on reflective ONU technology is optimized for applications up to 20 km, 40 channels, and 1 Gbps per customer. Current research focuses on how to scale WDM-PON toward higher bit rates and longer reach. Forward error correction is a key technology for scaling the current generation of WDM-PON technology to higher bit rates, longer reach, tighter channel spacing, or a combination thereof. An important challenge is to package the technology in an MSA form-factor pluggable module to maintain its benefits in cost and compatibility with third-party equipment.

A typical requirement for next generation metro/access systems is to enable node consolidation. That means operators can reduce opex by closing down portions of their central offices; at the same time, this goal requires the optical signals to bridge longer distances than what is typical of the access networks of today. Thus, when routing WDM-PON / 1064nm high power isolator signals through the metro part of the network, it becomes necessary to support ring architectures as an alternative to the basic tree structure.

In a ring structure, cascaded filters may decrease the effective channel passband. Since the spectral width of the WDM-PON signal is wider than the signals from a normal DFB source, such filtering effects may affect transmission.

In a recent evaluation project, a partnership between Transmode and Deutsche Telekom Hochschule für Telekommunikation of Leipzig, Germany, achieved 140-km long reach WDM-PON transmission over a ring-based access-network architecture. The partnership investigated the effects of using WDM-PON based on ASE-seeded wavelength-locked transmitters in a ring-based network architecture with cascaded CWDM OADM nodes. Transmission at 1.25 Gbps over 140-km singlemode fiber was demonstrated using an EDFA and dispersion compensation.

The results were first published at ECOC 2013 (In de Betou, Bunge, Åhlfeldt, and Olson, “140km Long-reach WDM-PON Test for Ring-based Access Network Architecture”). This partnership has investigated what opportunities could be provided by WDM-PON technology in such network topologies by studying experimentally the influence of narrow filtering and maximum reach.

The experimental testbed (in Leipzig) was built around Transmode’s TM-Series iWDM-PON system to create an optical line terminal (OLT) (see Figure 2). The OLT has a transponder line card that hosts pluggable wavelength-locked Fabry-Perot transceivers, ASE seed light sources, dual circulators for up- and downstream, and a 40-channel multiplexer based on an AWG.

To reach distances beyond 100 km, amplifiers dispersion compensation, and remote ASE seed sources were used. While an experimental field trial today, it shows that WDM-PON may well continue to evolve to support longer reach and more sophisticated network architectures in the future supporting a broader range of deployment scenarios.

DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com specializes in designing and manufacturing of high quality optical passive components mainly for telecommunication, fiber sensor and fiber laser applications,such as High Power Isolator,1064nm Components,PM Components,Pump Combiner,Pump Laser Protector,which using for fiber laser applications.Also have Mini-size CWDM, Optical Circulator, PM Circulator,PM Isolator, Fused Coupler,Mini Size Fused WDM.More information,please contact us.

WDM-PON technology-DK Photonics

WDM-PON provides the dedicated bandwidth of a point-to-point network and the fiber sharing inherent in PONs. The architecture is somewhat similar to that of EPON and GPON; instead of the power-splitter approach used in TDM-PON architectures, WDM-PON uses an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) filter that separates the wavelengths for individual delivery to the subscriber ONUs (see Figure 1).

A simple, plug-and-play implementation is based on wavelength-locked or tunable lasers. Self-tuning “colorless” ONUs can be used at the subscriber sites to simplify inventory and spare-part handling. Colorless optics not only simplify operations, but also reduce deployment costs, since they don’t need the expensive wavelength-stability components that traditional fixed and tunable optics require. There are multiple approaches to the colorless ONU technology.

In one approach, the wavelength of the ONU transmitter is controlled by injection of a “seed” signal into the transmitter (e.g., a wavelength-locked Fabry-Perot laser or reflective semiconductor optical amplifier). The seed signal injected into the transmitter could come from broadband ASE light sliced through the filters in the system or from a DFB laser array. In a self-seeding version of this approach, the seed light is provided by feedback of broadband light from the transmitter itself. The passive filtering of the seed light in the remote node determines the wavelength of the ONU transmitter.

In a different approach, the colorless ONU contains a singlemode optic coupler wavelength-tunable laser, which is able to tune to the appropriate wavelength that matches the remote node filter port.

Below 10-Gbps channel bit rates, the injection-seeded method provides a cost-efficient approach. As an example, a wavelength-locked Fabry-Perot transmitter can be integrated into an MSA SFP pluggable form-factor module, which enables the use of third-party CPE devices. A modified EDFA gain block in a 70×90 MSA form factor could be used to generate the broadband ASE light that’s used as a seed signal in the system.

At 10-Gbps bit rates, tunable-laser technology offers an alternative to the injection-seeded approach. The tunable-laser technology developed for the metro/long-haul market has matured significantly over the past couple of years and is able to give a good cost-per-bit ratio when high capacity is needed.

If the WDM-PON system is properly designed, then it’s possible to mix different transmission technologies. By following certain design rules during the installation of the WDM-PON system, it’s possible to allow step-wise channel upgrades to higher bit rates when the demand arises. These design rules ensure that channel OSNR requirements will be met in the presence of reflections and that inter-channel crosstalk is avoided. The result is an open and flexible access network that can support many applications and services over the same infrastructure. WDM-PON thus becomes an optical option for the access network as and where it makes sense.

Given its ability to help service providers cope with current bandwidth demands as well as the next potential broadband access bottleneck, WDM-PON/ 100GHz DWDM Module is becoming an important technology to consider in terms of its benefits and market timing. As with any emerging technology, service providers need to consider the optimal strategy for initial deployment of WDM-PON. That includes how they could use WDM-PON for additional network applications as the technology matures and its costs come down.

WDM-PON technology

FIGURE 2. Architectural scenario explored in the collaboration between Transmode and Deutsche Telekom Hochschule für Telekommunikation.

The latest generations of WDM-PON systems are now gaining traction with operators around the globe for field deployment, lab trials, and evaluations. It’s clearly the early stage of WDM-PON deployments, but progress has started and 2014 looks to be a pivotal year for the technology.

WDM-PON is a key component in next generation access(1)

Many industry analysts believe that the increasing requirements for bandwidth scalability, quality of service, and support of the emerging traffic patterns required by video and broadcast standards will make copper networks insufficient for many high-bandwidth services in the future. Fiber availability is not universal, and the economics of new fiber deployments are often challenging; nevertheless, fiber will undoubtedly push deeper into access networks to support business services, mobile backhaul/fronthaul, multitenant buildings/fiber to the cabinet, and in some cases fiber to the home (FTTH), too. Yet today‘s fiber-based approaches, including TDM-PON/PLC Splitter and active point-to-point Ethernet, probably won’t meet the likely requirements of the next generation of bandwidth-intensive traffic, either.

WDM-PON is a passive optical networking approach — currently being developed by several companies — that can be used to more adequately address these challenges over fiber-based networks. A WDM-PON design can be used to separate optical-network units (ONUs) into several virtual point-to-point connections over the same physical infrastructure, a feature that enables efficient use of fiber compared to point-to-point Ethernet and offers lower latency than TDM-based approaches. A notable advantage of this approach is the combination of high capacity per user, high security, and longer optical reach. WDM-PON therefore is highly suitable for applications such as mobile backhaul or business Ethernet service provision.

Thus WDM-PON is poised to become the disruptive next generation access architecture. It will enable high-speed access for businesses, mobile backhaul, and eventually FTTH. WDM-PON also will enable operators to build converged networks and consolidate existing access networks, including potentially eliminating central offices to reduce cost while boosting performance.

There are several types of WDM-PON systems under development. They all have in common the use of passive, temperature-hardened DWDM optical filters in the remote node and colorless ONUs.

FIGURE 1. Basic WDM-PON architecture.

DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com specializes in designing and manufacturing of high quality optical passive components mainly for telecommunication, fiber sensor and fiber laser applications,such as High Power Isolator,1064nm Components,PM Components,Pump Combiner,Pump Laser Protector,which using for fiber laser applications.Also have Mini-size CWDM, Optical Circulator, PM Circulator,PM Isolator, Fused Coupler,Mini Size Fused WDM.More information,please contact us.

62.5/125 um Vs. 50/125um Multimode fiber Information

We have created this page to illustrate the very basic differences between 62.5 and 50/125 multimode fiber in selecting a patch cable for your existing cable plant.

The key thing to remember is to always use a patch cable of the same type as the cable that you are connecting to. It is virtually impossible to tell the difference between the two fiber types (62.5 and 50/125) by looking at the bare fiber* or the connectors*. Usually, this information will be written on the cable’s jacket.

The photos above illustrate that the outer diameters of the two fiber types are the same. What is different is the size of the center light carrying core of the fiber. You cannot see the fiber’s core without a microscope*. Therefore, you must rely on the writing that is on the fibers jacket to determine what type is.

Severe losses of light can occur when you try to match 50/125 and 62.5/125 fiber, as the illustration on the left shows.

* CAUTION: Never look directly into a fiber cable’s end face or into the ferrule of a connector (with fiber present) as there may be dangerous laser light present.

NOTE: This page was designed to help you know the difference between 62.5 and 50/125 fiber for the purpose of purchasing patch cables and products to connect to existing installed cabling. This page was not designed to provide information on choosing between the two types fiber for new installations.

What is OADM? How much do you know?

The OADM, or optical add drop multiplexer, is a aperture into and out of a distinct approach fiber. In practice, best signals canyon through the device, but some would be “dropped” by agreeable them from the line. Signals basic at that point can be “added” into the band and directed to addition destination. An OADM may be advised to be a specific blazon of optical cross-connect, broadly acclimated in amicableness analysis multiplexing systems for multiplexing and acquisition cilia optic signals. They selectively add and bead alone or sets of amicableness channels from a close amicableness analysis multiplexing (DWDM) multi-channel stream. OADMs are acclimated to bulk finer admission allotment of the bandwidth in the optical area actuality anesthetized through the in-line amplifiers with the minimum bulk of electronics.

OADMs accept acquiescent and alive modes depending on the wavelength. In acquiescent OADM, the add and bead wavelengths are anchored advanced while in activating mode, OADM can be set to any amicableness afterwards installation. Acquiescent OADM uses Filter WDM, cilia gratings, and collapsed waveguides in networks with WDM systems. Activating OADM can baddest any amicableness by accessories on appeal after alteration its concrete configuration. It is additionally beneath big-ticket and added adjustable than acquiescent OADM. Activating OADM is afar into two generations.

A archetypal OADM consists of three stages: an optical demultiplexer, an optical multiplexer, and amid them a adjustment of reconfiguring the paths amid the optical demultiplexer, the optical multiplexer and a set of ports for abacus and bottomward signals. The optical demultiplexer separates wavelengths in an ascribe cilia assimilate ports. The reconfiguration can be accomplished by a cantankerous affix console or by optical switches which absolute the wavelengths to the optical multiplexer or to bead ports. The optical multiplexer multiplexes the amicableness channels that are to abide on from demultipexer ports with those from the add ports, assimilate a distinct achievement fiber.

Physically, there are several means to apprehend an OADM. There are arrays of demultiplexer and multiplexer technologies including attenuate blur filters, cilia Bragg gratings with optical circulators, changeless amplitude annoying accessories and chip collapsed arrayed waveguide gratings. The switching or reconfiguration functions ambit from the chital cilia application console to a array of switching technologies including micro-electro automated systems (MEMS), aqueous clear and thermo-optic switches in collapsed waveguide circuits.

CWDM and DWDM OADM accommodate abstracts admission for average arrangement accessories forth a aggregate optical media arrangement path. Regardless of the arrangement topology, OADM admission credibility acquiesce architecture adaptability to acquaint to locations forth the cilia path. CWDM OADM provides the adeptness to add or bead a distinct amicableness or multi-wavelengths from a absolutely multiplexed optical signal. This permits average locations amid alien sites to admission the common, point-to-point cilia bulletin bond them. Wavelengths not dropped pass-through the OADM and accumulate on in the administration of the alien site. Additional called wavelengths can be added or alone by alternating OADMS as needed.

DK Photonics provides a wide selection of specialized OADMs for WDM system. Compact CWDM module and custom WDM solutions are also available for applications beyond the current product designs including mixed combinations of CWDM and DWDM.

What is Pump Laser Protector, Where is the Pump Laser Protector use?

The Pump Laser Protector (also called Pump Protection Filters) is a passive component which allows maximum transmission from a discrete fibre-coupled pump laser diode and blocks parasitic signals around the centre wavelength of the laser from being reflected back into the laser.

Single-emitter laser diodes are highly regarded for their long term reliability. However, these devices are very sensitive to backward propagating light within the delivery fiber. Backward power imaged onto the diode material, as small as 5% of the pump diode output, can cause accelerated diode degradation and, in the majority of cases, catastrophic failure.That is why we need Pump Laser Protector.

DK Photonics offers filter technology that provides protection to pump diodes under these conditions (up to 50 dB Backward Signal Attenuation). Splicing these filters to the pump output fiber rejects unwanted light before it reaches the diode.

Multimode Pump Protection filters are available for a wide range of standard light emitting diodes. Fiber pigtails are 105/125 micron, with both 0.15 and 0.22 NA cores and 50/125 or 62.5/126 MM fiber available. Operating wavelengths cover the majority of diode laser lines (915 nm, 940 nm, 960 nm and 976) and maximum power handling is 25W without water-cooling.DK Photonics recently released a new type of Pump Laser Protector up to 200W handling power with water-cooling technology. And also have SingleMode Pump Laser Protector with Hi1060 fiber for 976nm fiber laser.

If you do not see a Pump Laser Protector from the standard configurations that meets your needs, we welcome the opportunity to review your desired specification and quote a filter best suited to your application. Different pump/rejection wavelengths or fiber pigtail can be accommodated.

DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com specializes in designing and manufacturing of high quality optical passive components mainly for telecommunication, fiber sensor and fiber laser applications,such asDK Photonics' promotion products including:High Power Isolator,1064nm Components,PM Components,Pump Combiner,Pump Laser Protector,which using for fiber laser applications.Also have Mini-size CWDM, Optical Circulator, PM Circulator,PM Isolator, Fused Coupler,Mini Size Fused WDM.More information,please contact us.