Charles Industries Introduces Mini-Mux 840 Next Generation Optical Multiplexer

Business Wire, Sept 7, 2004

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. -- Charles Industries Ltd., a privately held, diversified manufacturing and high-technology company, announced today the release of the Mini-Mux 840, the industry's most flexible optical broadband multiplexer. Representing a significant expansion of its Telco Group Access and Transmission product portfolio, the Mini-Mux 840 combines the functionality of three complete M13 Multiplexers with an OC-3 Add/Drop Multiplexer.

Charles' base model combines 84 T1s into an OC-3 within a 1-rack unit shelf, providing the densest broadband multiplexing solutions available. The Mini-Mux 840L drops 28T1s from an OC-3 for smaller applications. Mini-Mux 840 offers small (or reduced) size, simple installation and configuration, 1 x 1 redundancy, multiple power options, and an extended temperature range platform. Extensive diagnostic and alarm features are standard. Internal, external, through, line, and loop-timing modes are all supported.

The Mini-Mux 840 builds upon the extensive Charles multiplexer portfolio, which includes the Exchange Mux I (Transmux), Exchange Mux II (T1/E1 to T3, STS-1, AU3, AU4, OC-3 or STM-1), Mini-Mux 155 (T3 or STS-1 to OC-3 or STM-1), Mini-Mux 210 (E1 M13), and Mini-Mux 280 (T1 M13).

Mini-Mux is the first significant product release subsequent to Charles' acquisition of Oasys Telecom, which was completed in December 2003. Mini-Mux 840 further demonstrates Charles Industries' commitment to its broadband multiplexer product line and the new product synergy Oasys provides. "We're very excited about the Mini-Mux 840, which satisfies the huge pent-up demand for optical to copper mass termination" stated Mark Huntzinger, Director of the Access & Transmission Business Unit at Charles. "Our traditional RBOC and Independent Telco customers as well as CLEC and wireless providers are interested in the 840 to provide copper-based services to their customers." Teresa Mastrangelo, RHK Program Director, Broadband Access Networks concurred, adding that "most services are still deployed via traditional copper T1/E1 connections from fiber backbones and the Mini-Mux 840 addresses this need through a fully redundant, high-density solution."

Charles' broadband strategy targets optical equipment providers and OEMs, wireless equipment providers and integrators, CLECs, and Independent Telephone Companies. The Mini-Mux 840 is ideal for mass termination of OC-3 signals, highly efficient intra-office transport of T1s, wireless cell site interconnects, or backhaul of legacy DLCs. It can be configured for point-to-point 1 1 or UPSR ring applications.

The Mini-Mux 840 is now in production and has been deployed in several field trial applications with various customers. Charles plans to enhance the line by adding E1/STM-1 functionality toward the end of the year.

About Charles Industries

Charles Industries, Ltd., is a privately held, diversified manufacturing and high-technology company. It is ISO 9000 and TL 9000 certified, and employs more than 600 individuals in its Rolling Meadows, Illinois, corporate headquarters and five U.S.-based manufacturing plants. Charles designs, manufactures and sells quality, innovative solutions worldwide through its Telecommunications, Marine and Industrial Groups. For further information, please visit http://www.charlesindustries.com or call (847) 806-6300.