Prospect and Current Status of Optical Communication Devices Based on Planar Lightwave Circuits

Abstract

Current status of optical communication devices based on planar lightwave circuits is described from the technical and marketing points of view. The main market place for optical devices has been shifting from the trunk networks to metropolitan networks in which Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems are deployed for quick provisioning. In this situation, the prerequisite features for optical devices are the low cost, the compactness and the automatic controllability in optical power of each WDM signal. The prospect on the planar lightwave circuits is also presented in the view of the future trend of the lightwave systems.