Performance and reliability of 1.3 /spl mu/m DFB lasers designed for CATV applications

Recent progress in the development of semiconductor lasers for analog modulation has permitted the production of devices with capabilities close to the fundamental limits for CATV applications. Only a few years ago, almost all InP-based lasers were designed with digital telecommunications systems in mind; analog applications were rare and specialized. However, fiber optics offers significant advantages to the cable television network, especially if systems using the standard amplitude modulation scheme are employed. Among these is the ability to replace a long string of amplifiers with a single link, offering better signal quality and reliability. Current product can transmit from 40 to 80 NTSC channels simultaneously over links from 10 to 20 km long. Fueled by this capability, a significant worldwide market is emerging.