Network Photonics Claims First MEMS-Based Wavelength Switch

BOULDER, Colo., April 23 -- Network Photonics Inc. said it has developed the first commercially available MEMS-based wavelength switches.

The CrossWave 1200 and the CrossWave 2200 all-optical wavelength switching subsystems are based on Network Photonics' CrossWave technology, which enables the dynamic switching of DWDM wavelengths by integrating demultiplexing, switching and multiplexing into a single, purely photonic operation. The company said this offers a reduction in system cost, power and space requirements by eliminating the need for external DWDM multiplexers and unnecessary O-E-O conversions. Applications for the products include reconfigurable OADMs and wavelength cross-connects in today's linear and ring networks as well as emerging mesh topologies.