Agere Systems Announces Industry's First 10 Gigabit-per-second Integrated Laser, Modulator and Driver for 80 Kilometer Optical Network Spans

Business Wire, Sept 24, 2001

Business/High Tech Editors

ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2001

Agere Systems (NYSE:AGR.A), the world leader in communications components, today announced the industry's first 10 gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) electroabsorptive modulated laser (EML) to add an internal laser driver and operate over a distance of 80 kilometers.

This device gives systems manufacturers the reach and integration necessary to reduce cost and improve performance in optical networking systems.

The E2581-series EML combines a continuous wave laser with an electroabsorptive modulator on the same chip, then adds an integral driver IC for improved transmission performance. The device is designed for use in SONET/SDH or dense wavelength division multiplexed optical networking equipment with applications in both long-haul and metropolitan areas.

"Eighty kilometers is a critical link length for both long haul and metro systems designers," said Erin Byrne, senior product manager in Agere's Optical Core Networks division. "Agere's new integrated EML offers excellent performance over this length, using pulse compression to compensate for the dispersion limitations of single mode fiber at that distance."

The device features a 10 decibel-or-greater RF extinction ratio, which measures the difference in power when the laser light is modulated "on" or "off," as well as a dispersion penalty of less than 2.0 decibels over 80 kilometers of standard single-mode fiber. These parameters offer improved performance for transmission signals traveling across a long optical span, where light beams are more apt to scatter.

"These integrated lasers are critical devices used in Agere's 10 Gbit/s transponders as well," said Ron Hartmayer, marketing director in Agere's Transport division. "The E2581 will enable next-generation transponders to target longer reach applications -- typically addressed with multiple discrete optoelectronic and IC components -- while maintaining the same power consumption, size and cost as our shorter reach transponder products."

Integrating the laser driver IC with the EML gives the device optimum RF performance by shortening the distance between the driver chip and the modulator. The EML's compact size and integrated architecture offer significant benefits over external modulators and drivers, which are often bulkier and more expensive. This product saves on board space and simplifies manufacturing for systems makers, who can order three parts in one.

The E2581 is wavelength-selectable to ITU-T standards covering the entire C-band wavelength range of 1530-1562 nanometers. The device requires an input voltage of 0.5 to 1.0 volts peak-to-peak and offers a wide operating temperature range of -10 to 70 degrees Celsius. The package also contains a thermoelectric cooler, thermistor, rear facet monitor photodiode and optical isolator.

Sample quantities of the E2581 are now available, with production quantities expected by the end of 2001.

For more product information, customers may visit Agere's Web site at http://www.agere.com. Customers in the United States may contact the Agere Systems customer response center at 800/372-2447 (in Canada, call 800/553-2448; outside of the U.S./Canada, call 610/712-4323) or docmaster@agere.com. Written inquiries may be faxed to 610/712-4106 or sent to Agere Systems, Room 30L-15PBA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18109, USA.

Agere Systems is the world's No.1 provider of components for communications applications with leadership in optical components and integrated circuits. This dual capability uniquely positions Agere to deliver integrated solutions that form the building blocks for advanced wired, wireless, and optical communications networks. Agere also designs and manufactures a wide range of semiconductor solutions for communications-related devices used by consumers such as cellular phones, modems, and hard disk drives for personal computers and workstations. In addition, the company supplies complete wireless computer networking solutions through the ORiNOCO(TM) product line. More information about Agere Systems is available from its Web site at http://www.agere.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on information available to Agere as of the date hereof. Agere's actual results could differ materially from the results stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion of the distribution or sale of Agere stock by Lucent Technologies Inc., customer demand for our products and services, control of costs and expenses, timely completion of employment reductions and other restructuring activities, price and product competition, keeping pace with technological change, dependence on new product development, reliance on major customers and suppliers, availability of manufacturing capacity, components and materials, general industry and market conditions and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see the prospectus filed by Agere with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2001, and Agere's subsequent reports on Form 10-Q. Agere disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.