Multiple key technologies and capabilities enable the competitive performance and cost-structure of Source products. Source Photonics' micro-optic integration platform, internal chip research and development and manufacturing capability, and embedded control software are key on both the PON and the transceiver product lines. Specifically for the PON product line, the video receiver and burst-mode receiver technology provides important differentiation relative to competitive offerings.

In-house laser and receiver fabrication. Source Photonics has in-house research and development and manufacturing capability for semiconductor laser and receiver chips which enables internal sourcing of most of the optical components that are part of their module and sub-system products. The chip manufacturing capabilities include all the processes and facilities required for development and manufacturing of advanced optical components for current and future products. Source has knowledge of module level requirements which direct their development efforts to projects with maximum impact on cost and performance of the final products. Internally developed technologies include distributed feedback Bragg, or DFB, lasers and avalanche photodiode, or APD, receivers optimized for GPON applications; lasers for long-reach SONET, CWDM and DWDM transceivers; and CWDM lasers for high-temperature operation.

Advanced control and configuration software inside transceivers. Many of Source PON and metro transceivers include embedded software for monitoring, control, and configuration. All embedded software is internally developed, including implementation of advanced control algorithms that enable high-performance receivers for long-reach DWDM systems at 2.5 gigabit per second and 10 gigabit per second.

Micro-optic integration of WDM components with receivers and lasers. Source Photonics diplexer and triplexer products are based on integrated wavelength multiplexers, combining the upstream signal and the downstream signal(s) on one fiber. Source developed an integration platform based on bulk micro-optics that lends itself to large scale manufacturing. Based on industry standard components and assembly methods, and compatible with screening of product early in the manufacturing process, the platform is highly cost-effective.

Advanced video receiver technology. An essential element of PON triplexers is the RF video receiver. Source Photonics developed video receiver designs and technology based on widely available discrete standard components. Equally important is the test and measurement technology supporting the manufacturing of the integrated triplexers transceivers, where Source has developed and implemented a scalable and efficient test platform.

Burst mode receiver technology. A key technical challenge for implementation of a fully standards compliant GPON OLT transceiver is the stringent requirements on the receive-side of the product. An internally developed, proprietary technology has enabled Source to be first to market with a compliant burst mode receiver product, now shipping in volume to a broad, global customer-base. This burst mode technology allows the OLT transceiver to receive optical signals continuously from multiple ONT transmitters. Our solution is based on off-the-shelf standard components, and is anticipated to be fully scalable to emerging higher-data rate PON standards, e.g. 10 gigabit per second EPON.