NeoPhotonics Meets the Demand for Improved FTTP Performance and Lower Cost with New PLC- and AWG-based Products

Business Wire, March 1, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- NeoPhotonics Corporation, a leading supplier of integrated optical, planar lightwave circuit (PLC) modules for optical networking applications, will showcase at next week's OFC/NFOEC 2005 conference two new product lines for network equipment manufacturers seeking to meet carriers' requirements for lower cost and higher performance FTTP equipment.

To address the emerging FTTP and FTTC/N equipment markets, NeoPhotonics is introducing a portfolio of Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC)-based Biplexers and Triplexers for "triple play" applications. All transceivers feature duplex operation over a single-fiber, which reduces system cost and simplifies network design and fiber management. The PLC technology guarantees low manufacturing cost and a high yield that is unmatched by conventional thin film filter based devices. The transceivers cover both FSAN standards for BPON (ITU G.983) and GPON (ITU G.984), as well as the IEEE Standard 802.3ah for G-EPON.

NeoPhotonics is complementing its PLC-based portfolio of 1xN power splitters with the introduction of a comprehensive line of 2xN power splitters, which feature industry leading insertion loss for a wide range of applications in telecommunications networks. In particular, the 2xN splitters allow carriers to insert an overlay signal into a passive optical network (PON). This feature is an efficient way to combine an analog video overlay signal with the standard bi-directional digital signal. All NeoPhotonics power splitters operate over the outside plant temperature range of -40 to 85C and meet all other criteria contained in Telcordia GR-1209/1221.

To address the evolving "WDM PON" market and other sectors, NeoPhotonics is also announcing general availability of fully athermal and fully passive arrayed waveguide grating (AWG)-based DWDM Mux/DeMux modules for central office and outdoor applications. NeoPhotonics has developed and qualified and is now shipping an Athermal AWG that has equivalent performance to standard AWGs but requires no electrical power for stabilization. Units are available in 16- to 40-channel configurations for 100 GHz channel spacing and are compliant with rigorous Telcordia 1209 and 1221 reliability specifications.

"Our new AWG and PLC-based products will drive down costs throughout the PON supply chain, potentially making highly-desirable FTTP broadband services available to millions of more people around the globe," said Tim Jenks, chief executive officer for NeoPhotonics. "For instance, a potentially very large market is emerging for Athermal AWGs in new proposals for WDM-PON systems, such as that recently announced by Korea Telecom. These systems would use Athermal AWGs in very large numbers to provide more than 100 Mbps service in FTTP applications. Our scaleable approach delivers the high volume and low cost that are essential for carriers to deploy these 'wavelength per user' systems."

A detailed description of NeoPhotonics' Athermal AWG will be given in a paper to be presented in Anaheim on Thursday, March 10th, at 11:44 a.m. (paper NThL3) and samples of all announced products will be on display in the NeoPhotonics booth (1657).

About NeoPhotonics

NeoPhotonics Corporation is a leading developer and manufacturer of PLC-based (planar lightwave circuit) integrated optical modules and subsystems designed to improve the performance and lower the costs associated with backbone and access optical networks. They are at the forefront of the long sought-after integration of active and passive components. Backed by leading venture capital firms and institutional investors, NeoPhotonics maintains headquarters and ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturing facilities in San Jose, California. www.neophotonics.com.