Companies Unite on Standards for Compact Fiber Amplifiers

Compact erbium-doped fiber amplifiers produced by Agere Systems, Alcatel Optronics and Nortel Networks will conform to specified packaging dimensions, pin functionality, and optical and electrical characteristics as a result of a multisource agreement among the companies. The standardization will give optical systems manufacturers multiple sources for components that could be incorporated into systems without costly redesign.

The amplifiers are suitable for single-channel or narrowband applications from metropolitan to the ultralong-haul networks.