Software Platform Enables MEMS VOA Development

March 18, 2002

A new software platform by Co-ventor Inc. of Cary, N.C., simplifies the development of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) variable optical attenuators (VOAs) and attenuator arrays. Designed for dense-wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) systems in the wavelength range of 1530 to 1610 nm, it permits the cost-effective building of large-scale dynamic equalizers with 40 or more channels.

The MEMS Development Platform is one of the few automated tools available today for supporting the design of MEMS systems. With this software, designers can use Coventor's optical-shutter array and low-cost fiber attachment to integrate smaller and lower-power optical devices by means of passive alignment (see the photo). Fiber-to-fiber, fiber-to-device, and fiber-to-waveguide connections are possible. Designers no longer must resort to "home-brewed" solutions.

The platform provides a design range of 0 to 60 dB with 0.1-dB resolution, 0.4-dB stability, and 0.1-dB repeatability. Up to 17 dBm of optical power per channel can be accommodated at 30 V dc.

For details, contact Coventor at (919) 854-7500 or www.coventor.com.

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.