Development trend of fiber optic modules

1. The miniaturization

As the core device of the optical fiber access network, the optical transceiver module promotes the development of the optical transmission system in the direction of low cost, which makes the configuration of the optical network more complete and reasonable. The traditional fiber optic module separating laser and detector has been difficult to adapt to the requirements of modern communication equipment. In order to meet the requirements of communication equipment for optical devices, fiber optic modules are developing into highly integrated small packages.

2. Low cost, low power consumption

As the volume of communication equipment becomes smaller and smaller, the interface board contains higher and higher interface density, which requires the development of photoelectric devices to the direction of low cost and low power consumption. At present, optical devices generally adopt hybrid integration process and airtight packaging process, and the next development will be airtight packaging, which needs to rely on passive optical coupling (non-x-y-z direction adjustment) and other technologies to further improve the degree of automation production and reduce the cost. In particular, GaAs process and technology are adopted for the preamplifiers that process high speed, small signal and high gain. With the development of SiGe technology, the yield and manufacturing cost of such chips can be well controlled, and the power consumption can be further reduced.

3. High rate

As the main pillar of modern information exchange, processing and transmission, optical communication network has been developing towards ultra-high frequency, ultra-high speed and ultra-large capacity. The higher the transmission rate and the larger the capacity, the lower the cost of transmitting each message. The current hot spots for long haul bulk capacity are 10Gbit/s and 40Gbit/s. At this stage in circuit technology, 40Gbit/s is approaching the limit of "electronic bottleneck". However high the rate, the problems caused by signal loss, power dissipation, electromagnetic radiation (interference) and impedance matching are difficult to solve, and even if solved, it will cost a lot of money

4. The long distance

Another development direction of fiber optic modules is long distance. Today's optical networks are being laid farther and farther away, requiring remote transceivers to match. A typical remote transceiver signal can travel at least 100 kilometers without amplification, primarily to reduce the cost of optical communications by eliminating expensive optical amplifiers.

5. Hot plug

The future optical fiber module must support hot plug, that is, the module can be connected or disconnected with the device without cutting off the power supply. Since the optical fiber module is hot plug, the network manager can upgrade and extend the system without shutting down the network, which will not affect the online users. Hot-plugging also simplifies overall maintenance and enables end users to better manage their transceiver modules. At the same time, because of this heat exchange performance, the fiber optic module allows network managers to make a master plan for transmittal costs, link distances, and all network topologies based on network upgrade requirements, without having to replace all system boards.