OFS INTRODUCES NEW MICROTECHNOLOGY SPECIALITY PHOTONICS PRODUCTS

New Advances in Specialty Fibers Optimized for Metro Access and FTTX Applications

OFC, Booth 2141, Atlanta, GA, March 25, 2003 – OFS, designer, manufacturer, and supplier of leading edge fiber optic products, today announced the RightWave® MicroDK Small Form-Factor Dispersion Slope Compensating Module (DSCM) and Micro DCRA (Dispersion Compensating Raman Amplifier), the latest additions to the RightWave family of small-form devices from OFS’ Specialty Photonics Division (SPD). Designed for Metro access, the RightWave MicroDK Small Form-factor DSCM and DCRA are three times smaller than any other dispersion compensating module, making them ideal for space-strained networks. They enable cost-effective system designs by minimizing the space requirements for dispersion compensation equipment, freeing up valuable space for additional equipment to improve transmission performance if necessary.

“Today’s metro access and FTTX markets have increased requirements for space and other physical restrictions and additional rights of way, all of which are important economical factors; therefore, the compact nature of the MicroDK and DCRA are of increasing importance,” explained Kenneth Walker, President of Specialty Photonics Division. “The significant space savings offers increased flexibility and room for future upgrades.”

The RightWave MicroDK and Micro DCRA are miniature dispersion and dispersion slope compensating modules and are capable of compensating the chromatic dispersion of G.652 transmission fiber. The MicroDK is a small form factor DSCM that nearly triples the amount of dispersion compensation per volume unit. Both modules compensate all channels in the C-band enabling dispersion compensation in multi-channel, broadband systems. A single component can be used for simultaneous dispersion and dispersion slope compensation over the entire C- or L-band.

The DCRA likewise eliminates the need for high power EDFAs typically required to counter the loss of the dispersion compensating modules in a system.

The 80-micron dispersion compensating fiber used in the modules is carefully measured to meet the characteristics of the transmission span in which it will be used. The modules are delivered complete with customer-specified pigtails and input/output connectors.

OFS provides an extended product line of DCRA possibilities, to compensate dispersion and dispersion slope of any transmission fiber in any band, which can be tailored to encompass a wide variety of gain-values and transmission fiber types. The DCRA has been developed in collaboration with Furukawa Electric. MicroDK builds on OFS’ more than ten years of experience in 80mm specialty fibers and its proven leadership in dispersion compensation technology, dating back to the introduction of the “Standard DK” DSCM in 1997. OFS also provides 80mm solutions for its product family of Erbium doped fibers. OFS thus supports small form factor devices in both amplifier technology based on EDFAs or Raman as well as DSCMs.

About OFS
OFS is a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of leading edge optical fiber, optical fiber cable, optical connectivity and specialty photonics products for high-speed optical networks. OFS, formerly the optical fiber solutions division of Lucent Technologies Inc. [NYSE: LU], has a proven track record of being first in the industry with application specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers and more. OFS is committed to providing customers increased value by offering products that deliver lowest cost per bit network solutions, protecting investments through future flexible solutions.

OFS distributes its optical fiber, optical fiber cable, optical connectivity and specialty photonics products directly to end users, as well as through valued distributors, external cable customers and equipment vendors.

OFS is owned by Furukawa Electric, a multi-billion dollar global leader in optical communications and majority shareholder, and CommScope, Inc., a world leader in broadband coaxial cables and minority shareholder. Headquartered in Norcross, GA, OFS operates facilities in Avon, Connecticut; Carrollton, Georgia; Somerset, NJ; and Sturbridge, Massachusetts, as well as facilities in Denmark, Germany, Russia and Brazil.

For more information visit http://www.ofsoptics.com/