Liquid Crystal Based Wideband VOA

Lightwaves2020’s liquid crystal based variable optical attenuator (VOA) is a voltage-controlled device designed specifically for power management in optical networks. The device has a dynamic range of up to 40dB attenuation and wide operating band of wavelength from 1260nm to 1620nm. Sealed in a compact coaxial package 7.2mm in diameter, the VOA’s small footprint makes it ideal for integration onto circuit board. In addition, it offers the benefits of no moving parts, precision attenuation control without backlash, small driving voltage, low insertion loss and low cost. The VOA is driven by either a 0 ~ 40V peak to peak 10KHz square wave or by a 0 ~ 5VDC voltage using Lightwaves2020’s easy-to plug driver board. The VOA can be used for pre-emphasis of DWDM laser signals in long haul systems, power equalisation in optical add/drop modules and optical cross-connects, as well as gain-tilt adjustment in EDFA. As with all Lightwaves2020’s products, this wide-band VOA conforms to Telcordia requirements.

Key Features

• Continuous tuning without moving parts
• Ultra wide attenuation band
• High attenuation range
• Low insertion loss
• Small footprint in coaxial package
• Slow tuning slope without backlash and historic
• High precise optical power control
• Low cost

Primary Applications

• Network optical power adjustment
• Wide band channel balancing
• EDFA gain-tile and power balancing
• Raman amplifier
• Multi-channel OADM