Lightbit, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, will introduce a pure-optical chip with the ability to process multiple DWDM channels simultaneously without requiring electronic conversion. The Lightbit technology harnesses the parallel processing power of light and could significantly reduce the per-channel cost of DWDM. The all-optical device is bit-rate and protocol independent. Additional characteristics include a wide operating bandwidth that can be tuned to C, L or S bands. Lightbit said a single one of its optical processors could replace multiple Optical-Electrical-Optical (OEO) transponders, typically the most expensive equipment in today’s fiber-optic networks. Applications supported by Lightbit subsystems include optical regeneration and multi-channel wavelength (band) conversion. The optical device will be manufactured in a silicon fabrication process.
http://www.lightbit.com
- Lightbit is headed by Larry Marshall, who previously was VP of Iridex, where he created the product that enabled the company’s IPO, and co-founded spin-offs Iriderm, and Iridex OEM Group.