PLANO, Texas, Feb. 14 -- LaserComm Inc., a producer of photonic components and modules for advanced optical networks, announced that it is developing a solution to manage chromatic dispersion and dispersion slope in optical networks that use the L-band portion of the bandwidth spectrum. The L-band model of the Hi-Mode Dispersion Management Device (DMD) extends LaserComm's high-order mode optical technology, already applied in its C-band Hi-Mode DMD.
   Today, most DWDM systems only operate within a portion of the channel spectrum known as the C-band. DWDM system vendors are looking to tap into the capacity of the longer-wavelength L-band to meet soaring bandwidth demand. With the Hi-Mode DMD's precise management of chromatic dispersion, utilizing both the C and L bands will enable carriers to provide a total capacity of 160 channels or more, which will double the transmission capacity of most optical networks, the company said.
   LaserComm's new dispersion management solution will correct chromatic dispersion and dispersion slope in the L-band. As with LaserComm's dispersion management device for the C-band, the L-band product will significantly lower network installation and operating costs by reducing the number of regenerator sites required to maintain the quality of the optical signal.
   "L-band DWDM systems are a key strategy of system providers seeking to expand their channel counts and throughput capacity," said Eduardo Shoval, LaserComm's CEO. "To effectively operate these systems they need a solution that manages chromatic dispersion and dispersion slope. Our world-class engineering team is responding to the challenge, and as L-band DWDM systems become commercially available over the next coming months, LaserComm's L-band Hi-Mode DMD will be ready."