Sorry about the vagueness, Herc. What they are striving for, essentially, are two things that stand out to me.
The first is to reduce the overall size of DWDM gear by creating chip level wave guides instead of using the much larger present day alternatives which are dependent on a number of mechanical constructs, mirrors, gratings, etc. This, ostensibly, would make DWDM more affordable, require less space and power to operate, and enable channel mapping under software control as opposed to manual patching of fiber optic patch cords from one module to the next, whenever a change of configuration was called for.
Caution, at this point, as I may be reading too much into their stated current plans, but this is what I would be shooting for at this time.
The second goal has to do with replacing silica-based fiber media and connector parts with those made from plastics. This, supposedly, is a cheaper alternative that will make local distribution to the desk, and to homes, eventually, more practical and cost effective.
Other aspirations, reading between the lines as one must when only a dearth of public information exists, is the creation of new components which will engender new forms of networking elements which will enable channeling and switching/routing of light beams in ways which have up until now been the province of bulkier and slower electronic means. HTH [more than before].
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
