'World's first' 60GHz reflective electro absorption modulator

The 60G-R-EAM-1550 device has been announced to address customer needs for a low insertion loss, low drive voltage optical modulation in applications such as remote antennas and radio over fibre. According to CIP, the product is particularly significant for those interested in the 28GHz local multipoint distribution service band, as well as experimental and research work in bands up to 60GHz. The combination of modulation and photodetection in a single device means that both up and down links can be duplexed over a single fibre, which could lead to capacity improvements for network operators. The device has an insertion loss of 3.6dB and has been designed to provide digital optical modulation at 50Gbit/s and rf modulation over its 60GHz bandwidth. It operates across the 1550 nm C-band with a low chirp parameter, and is intended for use with a laser diode source. The photodetection capability provides 1.0 A/W responsivity and 43 GHz bandwidth.