Nortel, Ericsson to standardize optical-amplifier components

Nortel, Ericsson to standardize optical-amplifier components

The Optoelectronics division of Northern Telecom (Nortel; Brampton, Ontario, Canada) and Opto Electronic Products of Ericsson Components AB (Stockholm, Sweden) have agreed to a standard footprint design and package interface for optical amplifier components. The package will use the standardized erbium-doped fiber amplifier gain block design, with rounded corners, side exit fibers, and base pins that allow a direct mount to the printed-circuit board. The package will be manufactured and sold independently by both Nortel and Ericsson. In other company news, Nortel has opened a factory in Paignton, England, to manufacture WDM passive components and amplifiers for optical networks.