WaveSplitter and Gemfire To Demonstrate Low Channel Count VOA-Multiplexer
Targeted for Metro Market at OFC 2002
Full chip-to-chip integration creates smallest V-Mux Package
FREMONT and PALO ALTO , CA- March 14, 2002 - WaveSplitter
Technologies, Inc., a worldwide supplier of innovative fiber-optic
components and modules for advanced optical networks, and Gemfire,
an integrated photonics company, announced today that they will
demonstrate fully-integrated, 8-channel Variable Optical Attenuator
Multiplexers (VOA-Mux), at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference
(OFC) 2002, March 17-22, 2002 in Anaheim, CA. This product demonstration
highlights the benefits of hybrid integration by delivering the
smallest VOA-Mux package with industry-leading performance in terms
of power consumption and attenuation range. The compact, fully integrated
device combines WaveSplitter's silica-on-silicon Arrayed Waveguide
Grating with Gemfire's unique polymer VOA in a direct chip-to-chip
interface. The 8-channel VOA-Mux is particularly well suited for
the Metropolitan Optical Network market, which requires compact,
high-performance, cost-effective components.
Hybrid integration, which entails the designing of integrated products
based on multiple technology platforms, addresses the industry's
need to reduce component size and cost without compromising performance.
With hybrid integration, the best material choice can be used to
combine individual optical functions through innovative packaging.
Direct chip-to-chip integration removes duplication of packaging
and fiber arrays offering a savings up to 30% of the manufacturing
cost, while also reducing component size by a factor of ten.
"Our customers view integration as a way to reduce size and
cost, but they can't sacrifice performance," said Bill Diamond,
President and CEO of WaveSplitter. "Hybrid integration allows
companies like WaveSplitter and Gemfire to combine their complementary
technologies to deliver industry leading products that offer the
benefits of integration with exceptional performance."
"The metro market has similar performance demands to the long-haul
market, but requires optical components with much lower costs,"
said Richard Tompane, President and CEO of Gemfire. "The combination
of multiple functions in a fully integrated device removes a number
of high cost elements, creating high-performance, cost effective
products for the metro market."
About WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc.
WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of cost-effective
active, dynamic and passive components and modules for advanced
metropolitan and long-haul optical networks. WaveSplitter's intelligent
integrated products offer system manufacturers greater functionality
in smaller packages and at lower cost than incumbent discrete technologies.
WaveSplitter was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Fremont,
California. For more information, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.wavesplitter.com.
About Gemfire Corporation
Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., Gemfire is an integrated photonics
company creating multi-port integrated active components for optical
networks. Gemfire's mission is to eliminate the primary roadblocks
to optical network expansion by integrating component functions
through products that deliver progressive value, performance, and
functionality. For more information, visit the company's Web site
at http://www.gemfire.com.
For more information from WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc.,
press and analysts only:
Lisa Blair
WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc.
Phone: 510-651-7800 x 243
Fax: 510-580-1395
E-mail: lisa_blair@wavesplitter.com
For more information from Gemfire Corporation, press and analysts
only:
Laura Edens
Portofino Communications
Phone: 831-426-2855
E-mail: ledens@portofinopr.com
Laura Thurman
Portofino Communications
Phone: 408-979-1917
E-mail: lthurman@portofinopr.com
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