ClariPhy Announces 200G Coherent Optical Reference Design in Collaboration With Ecosystem Partners at ECOC 2013

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - Sep 23, 2013) - ClariPhy Communications, Inc., a leading developer of ultra-high speed systems-on-chip (SoCs) for coherent optical networks, announced today the availability of a reference design for coherent optical transmission supporting 200 gigabit per second (200G) 16QAM modulation. The reference design -- developed in close collaboration with ClariPhy's ecosystem partners Fujitsu Optical Components, Inphi, NeoPhotonics, and u²t Photonics -- performs electrical-to-optical (E2O) and optical-to-electrical (O2E) conversion and is intended for use with ClariPhy's Lightspeed™ family of coherent SoCs. ClariPhy's next generation 28nm CMOS Lightspeed coherent SoC will support both 100G and 200G data rates. ClariPhy and its ecosystem partners are working together to optimize performance of the optical reference design when coupled with this SoC, offering OEMs a highly integrated, fast time to market solution that addresses rapidly growing demand for 200G and 400G coherent transmission.

100G coherent has become the technology of choice for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transmission in long haul optical networks. As carriers seek to deploy coherent technology in cost-sensitive metro networks as well, they require cost-effective solutions. The use of 200G 16QAM modulation enables such a solution, delivering double the bandwidth over the same coherent optics used for 100G and effectively cutting cost per bit in half. Furthermore, future 400G Ethernet router deployments will drive the need for 400G DWDM transport, which can be achieved using two wavelengths of 200G 16QAM in a superchannel configuration.

ClariPhy's optical reference design includes the following best in class components: Fujitsu Optical Components' FTM7977HQA lithium niobate modulator; Inphi's IN3214SZ quad linear modulator driver; two NeoPhotonics' ITLA3100 integrated tunable laser assemblies (ITLAs), one for the transmitter and one for the local oscillator; and u²t Photonics' CPRV1222A integrated coherent receiver (ICR). Together these components meet the exacting bandwidth, linearity and phase noise specifications required to support 200G 16QAM modulation. A high performance GPPO interface provides connectivity to a separate coherent electrical transmitter and receiver, such as ClariPhy's 28nm digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) evaluation board, which is currently shipping to OEMs. ClariPhy's ADC and DAC deliver the ENOB, bandwidth and jitter performance necessary for 100G QPSK and 200G 16QAM modulation, which will both be supported in its next-generation Lightspeed SoC. This modular solution comprising both electrical and optical coherent reference boards will enable ClariPhy and its ecosystem partners to tune the programmable parameters of the Lightspeed SoC and optical components for optimum transmission performance, minimizing integration time and accelerating time to market for OEMs and module suppliers who incorporate the solution into their systems.

"Inphi's IN3214SZ is the industry's first integrated quad linear driver which enables our OEM customers to increase the capacity of their long haul and metro networking infrastructure up to four times," said Loi Nguyen, vice president, networking and communications at Inphi. "This reference design with ClariPhy and other ecosystem partners provides a complete turnkey solution for next-generation 100G, 200G and 400G coherent systems."

"As a leading provider of narrow linewidth tunable lasers and coherent receivers, NeoPhotonics is excited to participate with ClariPhy, Fujitsu, Inphi and u²t in this new ecosystem for 200-400G coherent communications," said Dr. Winston Way, chief system architect of NeoPhotonics. "Photonic integration has played a key role in the success of 100G coherent transmission, and is now providing the higher levels of performance and integration required for the more complex modulation formats needed for 200-400G," continued Dr. Way.

"We are delighted to collaborate with ClariPhy and its other ecosystem partners to deliver highly optimized 100G, 200G and 400G coherent solutions to the market," said Jens Fiedler, executive vice president, sales and marketing at u²t Photonics. "Our integrated coherent receiver, with best in class bandwidth, sensitivity and linearity specifications, facilitates the spectral efficiency and cost benefits of 16QAM modulation. The ease of integration and fast time to market that this turnkey solution will enable is valued especially by our OEM customers."

"We are pleased to partner with ecosystem partners such as Fujitsu Optical Components, Inphi, NeoPhotonics and u²t Photonics, who can deliver world class component technology for 100G and 200G optical coherent transmission," said Dr. Norm Swenson, chief technology officer of ClariPhy. "We look forward to working with them to deliver the first 200G coherent solution based on merchant silicon."

ClariPhy will exhibit its 200G coherent optical reference design in its private suite at the ECOC trade show in London, England, September 23-26, 2013. Access to the exhibit is by invitation only.

About ClariPhy
ClariPhy Communications, Inc. develops mixed signal, advanced digital signal processing (MXSP) SoCs targeting multi-mode, multi-rate high performance optical network applications at 10, 40, 100, and 200G via the industry's most comprehensive product portfolio. ClariPhy is unique in the industry by offering a "One Stop Shop" approach, with all significant intellectual property (IP) developed in-house, providing ICs to its customers with superior feature sets and accelerated time-to-market (TTM). ClariPhy's LightSpeed™ SoCs increase capacity and reach while eliminating costly regeneration equipment, simplifying network management and lowering system CAPEX and OPEX costs. ClariPhy's investors include Nokia Siemens Networks, Norwest Venture Partners, Onset Ventures, and Allegis Capital. ClariPhy is headquartered in Irvine, California with offices in Los Altos, California and Cordoba, Argentina.

For more information, please visit www.clariphy.com