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Lynx built its products around its patented light management technology, to provide cost-effective, all-optical switching solutions. All-optical, or photonic switching, is inherently transparent to all data rates and protocols—hence it protects investments against any changes in the actual network interfaces, as well as reducing future upgrade and replacement costs.
Lynx's Patented Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) Technology
Lynx's Patented Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) Technology
PLC technology is constructed of solid-state structures that can switch light by changing a substrate matrial refractive index in a coupling region. The switching is achieved through thermo-optics (applying heat) or electro-optics (applying voltage), according to the substrate material being used. Lynx's PLC technology utilizes either Silica-on-Silicon or Lithium Niobate substrates, depending on the application and performance requirements.
A Proven Technology: PLC technology has already been proven in widely deployed optical components, such as arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), variable optical attenuators (VOAs), and 1xN and 2x2 optical switches. A well- established volume manufacturing and automated process addresses the key issues of optical components today—availability and low cost. Over the past six years, Lynx invested heavily in optimizing PLC technology for optical switching applications. The Lynx PLC approach has produced the most intelligent PLC-based optical switching solutions available today.
Multifunction Integration: Lynx has integrated important additional functions into its PLC switching products. Built-in multicasting, weighted multicasting and broadcasting functionality help create services such as dynamic protection schemes, new methods for broadcasting rich media and Virtual Optical Private Networking (OVPN). Integrated power control (attenuation) functionality eliminates the need to add Variable Optical Attenuation (VOA) components.
A Proven Technology: PLC technology has already been proven in widely deployed optical components, such as arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), variable optical attenuators (VOAs), and 1xN and 2x2 optical switches. A well- established volume manufacturing and automated process addresses the key issues of optical components today—availability and low cost. Over the past six years, Lynx invested heavily in optimizing PLC technology for optical switching applications. The Lynx PLC approach has produced the most intelligent PLC-based optical switching solutions available today.
Multifunction Integration: Lynx has integrated important additional functions into its PLC switching products. Built-in multicasting, weighted multicasting and broadcasting functionality help create services such as dynamic protection schemes, new methods for broadcasting rich media and Virtual Optical Private Networking (OVPN). Integrated power control (attenuation) functionality eliminates the need to add Variable Optical Attenuation (VOA) components.
Smaller and Lower Cost: Lynx’s innovative designs have enabled significant improvements in PLC power consumption, making it possible to produce a more integrated and smaller PLC chip/packaging. These robust new designs expand the manufacturing tolerance window, resulting in significant yield improvement and overall lower costs.
Reliability: Lynx’s robust design, which includes no moving parts, results in unparallel reliability and durability—meet the most rigorous industry requirements. In addition, Lynx has developed a very unique (patented) feature, LynxSense™, which is integrated into Lynx PLC switches. LynxSense™ provides continuous validation of all possible switching configurations regardless of the switch current connectivity state.
Lynx’s In-Band Management for Optical Protection Systems
In many access network applications, the communication is done between the carrier central office (C.O.) and the customer premises. In such a case the carrier needs to manage its equipment (a protection system) that is installed at the customer premises. For now, the user needs to build an additional communication channel between the C.O. and the customer premises to transfer management data. This communication channel should be protected as well. Lynx’s in-band management allows the carrier to manage his remote unit via the current links with no need of additional infrastructure or additional links to install and protect.
Lynx Optical Failure Monitoring (OFM) for DWDM Protection
The common failure detection mechanism in optical communication lines is by using optical power monitoring. While in many cases this method is sufficient, several scenarios require a different approach. One such example is DWDM lines, which include in-line amplifiers. Amplifiers might send enough optical power even under a failure condition, and this would be construed as a valid signal by a power detector. Lynx’s unique OFM for DWDM line overcomes this problem, ensuring reliable protection for amplified DWDM lines.
Reliability: Lynx’s robust design, which includes no moving parts, results in unparallel reliability and durability—meet the most rigorous industry requirements. In addition, Lynx has developed a very unique (patented) feature, LynxSense™, which is integrated into Lynx PLC switches. LynxSense™ provides continuous validation of all possible switching configurations regardless of the switch current connectivity state.
Lynx’s In-Band Management for Optical Protection Systems
In many access network applications, the communication is done between the carrier central office (C.O.) and the customer premises. In such a case the carrier needs to manage its equipment (a protection system) that is installed at the customer premises. For now, the user needs to build an additional communication channel between the C.O. and the customer premises to transfer management data. This communication channel should be protected as well. Lynx’s in-band management allows the carrier to manage his remote unit via the current links with no need of additional infrastructure or additional links to install and protect.
Lynx Optical Failure Monitoring (OFM) for DWDM Protection
The common failure detection mechanism in optical communication lines is by using optical power monitoring. While in many cases this method is sufficient, several scenarios require a different approach. One such example is DWDM lines, which include in-line amplifiers. Amplifiers might send enough optical power even under a failure condition, and this would be construed as a valid signal by a power detector. Lynx’s unique OFM for DWDM line overcomes this problem, ensuring reliable protection for amplified DWDM lines.
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