Alcatel Optronics, JDS Uniphase and Kamelian Sign Multi-Source Agreement on Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs)
Anaheim, California – Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) - March 18, 2002 – Alcatel Optronics (Paris CGO; Nasdaq ALAO), JDS Uniphase Corporation (Nasdaq: JDSU and TSE: JDU), and Kamelian Ltd. today announced a multi-source agreement (MSA) for Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs), defining common mechanical and optical performance specifications. This MSA will benefit system manufacturers by giving them the confidence to take advantage of cost-effective SOAs in their systems knowing they are working with a standard design.
SOAs can be deployed in a wide variety of applications in metro and long haul networks. These include amplification, regeneration, wavelength conversion and switching. The mechanical interface, covered by the MSA, uses the same configuration for pin functions as industry standard pump lasers. This enables system manufacturers to more easily incorporate SOAs into their systems. Other mechanical factors described by the standard include hole position and module overall dimensions. “Alcatel Optronics is pleased to join with our partners in this MSA to provide our customers with a powerful standard product for the evolution of the all optical network,” explained Philippe Brégi, Chief Operating Officer of Alcatel Optronics. “We believe that SOAs will be the winning solution for multiple applications ranging from regeneration to switching for terminals and photonic nodes.”
“SOAs offer a broad range of functionality within a number of system applications,” said Fred Leonberger, Chief Technology Officer of JDS Uniphase. “We believe that this new standard will significantly speed up the acceptance and deployment of SOAs throughout new optical systems.”
“The emergence of new architectures in optical networks, the increasing pressure on price and the requirement for advanced levels of integration are all factors which play to the strengths of SOAs,” commented Paul May, Chief Executive Officer of Kamelian Ltd. “We are very pleased to be joining with Alcatel and JDS Uniphase in setting standards that make it easier for our customers to adopt these products.”
The standard also defines minimal levels of optical performance required for pre-amplification and booster applications. For each application a different class of SOA has been defined. For pre-amplification applications, Class A SOAs will have a noise figure of less than 9 dB, gain greater than 20 dB and minimum output power of 5 dBm. For booster applications, Class B SOAs will have a noise figure of less than 12 dB, gain greater than 15 dB and minimum output power of 8 dBm.
About Alcatel Optronics
Alcatel Optronics designs, manufactures and sells high performance optical components, modules and integrated sub-systems for use in terrestrial and submarine optical telecommunications networks. Operating state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in North America and Europe, Alcatel Optronics is a leading supplier of DWDM lasers, photodetectors, optical amplifiers, high-speed interface modules and key passive devices such as arrayed waveguide multiplexers and Fiber Bragg Grating filters. It also has experience in integrating active and passive components and modules into sub-systems. The Optronics Division is part of Alcatel's Optics Group which comprises Alcatel's world-leading activities in optical networking, including submarine and terrestrial transmission systems, fiber optics and optical components. For more information, visit Alcatel Optronics on the Internet: www.alcatel.com/optronics
About JDS Uniphase
JDS Uniphase is a high technology company that designs, develops, manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of products for the growing fiberoptic communications market. These products are deployed by system manufacturers worldwide to develop optical networks for the data communications, telecommunications and cable television industries. JDS Uniphase Corporation is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol JDSU and the exchangeable shares of JDS Uniphase Canada Ltd. are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol JDU. More information on JDS Uniphase is available at http://www.jdsu.com/.
About Kamelian
Kamelian specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced semiconductor optical amplifier components for optical network applications. Products range from discrete SOA devices to more complex integrated products based on SOA technologies. The company has state of the art device fabrication and packaging facilities in the UK. More information on Kamelian is available at http://www.kamelian.com/.
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” "will," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "strive," "designed" and similar words. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statement or implication that the products described in this press release (i) will be successfully introduced or marketed, (ii) will be qualified and purchased by MSA members’ customers, or (iii) will perform to any particular specifications or performance or reliability standards. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that, if realized, could materially impair the MSA members’ respective results of operations, business and financial condition. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to factors discussed from time to time in financial reports filed by one or more of the MSA. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and none of the MSA members assumes any obligation to update or qualify any of the statements made herein.
Alcatel Optronics press contacts
Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane (US) Tel:+ 1. 703 679 6710 charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.com
Bénédicte de Bollardière (France) Tel : +33 (0) 1 64 49 16 75 benedicte.de_bollardiere@alcatel.fr
JDS Uniphase press contact
Lori Goulet 613-727-1304 x 6486 Media.relations@jdsu.com
Kamelian press contact
Tim Harman +44 (0) 1865 855118 Tim.Harman@kamelian.com