Coherent Introduces Wavemaker® and Waveshaper® Optical Solutions for Multi-Wavelength Transmissions
- Introduction of two new optical test instrumentation products catering to the increasing demand in optical networks.
- WaveMaker covers C+L-band, while WaveShaper offers programmable filter shapes in the O-band.
- WaveShaper received a perfect 5.0 score in the 2024 Lightwave Innovation Reviews.
- Products offer cost savings, ease of use, and integration in automated systems.
- WaveMaker is orderable, with shipments starting in June 2024.
- None.
Insights
The introduction of Coherent Corp.'s new optical test instrumentation products represents a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for enhanced optical network capacity. The expansion into the O-band with the WaveShaper family addresses the industry's need for more sophisticated testing equipment as networks evolve to accommodate multi-wavelength transmission and higher bitrates, particularly in metro and long-haul networks.
The WaveMaker 4000A/X is notable for being the only compact, integrated source for C+L-band systems, which could provide Coherent with a competitive edge in the market. This product differentiation might lead to an increase in market share within the niche of optical network testing, potentially impacting Coherent's financial performance positively.
Moreover, the RESTful http-based API support for automation suggests that Coherent is aligning with the industry's shift towards more integrated and automated testing solutions. This could improve operational efficiency for users and might be a selling point for companies looking to streamline their testing processes.
Given the positive reception of the WaveShaper O-band, reflected by the perfect score from the 2024 Lightwave Innovation Reviews, there is an indication of industry acceptance and potential for market penetration. However, the long-term impact on the company's revenue will depend on the adoption rate of O-band technologies and the competitive response from other players in the market.
Coherent Corp.'s release of the WaveShaper O-band and WaveMaker 4000A/X products is a response to the technological advancements within the telecommunications industry. The shift towards the O-band for optical networks is driven by the need for increased fiber capacity and Coherent's products are positioned to facilitate this transition.
The WaveShaper's phase-shaping capability is particularly relevant for high-bitrate transmission, which is critical for the expansion of metro networks and datacenter interconnect (DCI) links. This capability could lead to improved network performance and reliability, which are key factors for telecommunications providers.
The compact 2U rack configuration and integrated nature of the WaveMaker 4000A/X suggest that Coherent is addressing space and cost concerns for customers, which could enhance the product's attractiveness for businesses looking to optimize their testing infrastructure.
While the introduction of these products is a positive development, the actual impact on the telecommunications sector will depend on the rate of infrastructure upgrades and the extent to which O-band technologies are adopted over the established C-band operations.
The financial implications of Coherent Corp.'s new product launches can be multifaceted. On one hand, the company stands to benefit from first-mover advantages with the WaveMaker 4000A/X, potentially capturing a significant portion of the market for C+L-band testing. This could lead to an uptick in sales and strengthen Coherent's financial position.
On the other hand, the capital required for research, development and marketing of these new products could be substantial. Investors should monitor the company's R&D and SG&A expense lines in upcoming financial statements to assess the impact of these investments on the bottom line.
It is also worth considering the sales cycle for such specialized equipment. The time from order to shipment and the subsequent adoption curve, may be elongated, which could delay the financial impact. Investors should temper expectations for immediate revenue growth and instead look for indicators of market adoption and customer feedback as harbingers of long-term financial success.
Lastly, the WaveShaper O-band's award and high score from an industry review suggest market validation, which could translate into strong sales performance and positive investor sentiment. However, this should be weighed against competitive risks and the overall market size for O-band testing equipment.
PITTSBURGH, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in optical networking, announced today the introduction of two new optical test instrumentation products:
| 1) | Coherent WaveMaker® 4000A/X Programmable Optical Spectrum Synthesizer for C+L-band operation | |
| 2) | Coherent WaveShaper® for O-band (1.3 µm window) operation, available in the following versions: Coherent WaveShaper 1000B/O Programmable Optical Filter (1x1 port configuration) and Coherent WaveShaper 4000B/O Programmable Optical Processor (1x4 port configuration). | |
The growing demand for capacity in optical networks has generated more interest in using the O-band more effectively. Multi-wavelength transmission and higher bitrates as well as upcoming amplified links are driving increased test requirements in this spectral domain. The WaveShaper O-band instruments enable these tests.
Currently deployed metro and long-haul optical networks operate mostly in the C-band. With the growing demand for increased fiber capacity, these networks' operation is now being extended into the L-band. The WaveMaker is the only compact, integrated source commercially offered in the market which can provide suitable test signals for C+L-band systems.
The Coherent WaveShaper O-band is the newest member of the industry-leading WaveShaper family, providing arbitrarily programmable filter shapes in attenuation and phase in the wavelength range of 1264 nm to 1358 nm.
The WaveShaper O-band has recently been awarded a perfect 5.0 score from 2024 Lightwave Innovation Reviews.
As a programmable optical spectrum synthesizer, the WaveMaker 4000A/X can generate arbitrary spectral shapes across the entire C+L-band from 1528.4 nm to 1612.65 nm with widths as narrow as 10 GHz and extinction ratios exceeding 60 dB. It is ideal for generating comb spectra and combining them with modulated signals from external sources to generate a wide range of test cases.
“Using our proven liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) technology, the WaveShaper O-band is an enabler for testing WDM systems in the O-band,” said Dr. Beck Mason, Executive VP, Telecom Business Unit. “Additionally, WaveMaker is easy to use, and speeds up testing because all required components are included and controlled with one graphical user interface (GUI). The compact unit takes up less space since it is mountable in a 2U rack configuration, and the WaveMaker offers significant cost savings compared to buying the various instruments and modules separately,” he said.
The WaveShaper O-band has been designed to meet the demanding filtering requirements of the O-band. The spectral range covers all channels of LR4, LR8, and CWDM transmission schemes. With its phase-shaping capability, the WaveShaper can create and compensate for dispersion -- a capability of particular interest for high-bitrate transmission over metro networks and on datacenter interconnect (DCI) links.
The WaveMaker is an out-of-the-box solution that supports test cases which previously only could be supported by homemade systems where users set up from several separate instruments and modules. The WaveMaker instrument has also been equipped with a user-friendly GUI, which makes it extremely easy and intuitive to generate the spectra required for system testing.
Coherent believes there is no other vendor in the market offering an instrument that has a capability set close to the WaveShaper and WaveMaker products. Both instruments offer a RESTful http-based application programming interface (API), which fully supports integration of the instruments in automated systems.
The WaveShaper is available in various versions for operation in the 1 µm band and also in the S-, C-, L- and U-band. The WaveShaper O-band has been released and is shipping.
The WaveMaker 4000A/X has been released and is orderable. Shipments will start in June 2024. The WaveMaker is also available as a C-band-only product.
About Coherent
Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.
Contact
Amy Wilson
Manager, Corporate Communications
corporate.communications@coherent.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/44055991-c475-427a-8327-d6eb62e7d44a
FAQ
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