ASIP Introduces Extended Temperature Laser For 10Gb/s Optical Transceivers; ASIP Extends Performance of 1310 EML to Industry-Leading Temperature Range of 0 to More than 95 C.

SOMERSET, N.J. -- ASIP, Inc., a pioneer in the development of advanced, photonic integrated circuits and a leading provider of high-speed lasers for next-generation optical transceivers, today announced an enhanced version of its uncooled 1310 nm Electro-absorption Modulated Laser (EML). The new product, the 10T0006, extends the 0 to 85 C temperature range of the existing 10T0004 EML to a first-in-the-industry range of 0 to 95 C, allowing suppliers to maximize optical port density in ever-challenging thermal environments.

ASIP's 10T0006 EML is built using the company's patented Asymmetric TwinGuide(TM) (ATG) technology, a highly-scalable platform for monolithic photonic integration. Available immediately in commercial quantities, the 10T0006 is offered in both die form and a TOSA version. The 10T3061 TOSA improves the 0 to 75 C operating temperature range of ASIP's existing 10T3001 TOSA to an extended range of 0 to 85 C. Unlike Directly-Modulated-Lasers (DML), the operating bandwidth of ASIP's uncooled EML is independent of temperature and maintains high extinction and mask-margin, even at very high temperatures. ASIP ensures optimal power across the entire temperature range with its state-of-the-art aluminum laser active region.

"Almost two years ago, ASIP announced the world's first commercially-available uncooled EML, and since that time, this breakthrough product has quickly become the gold-standard laser for short-reach optical links," said Milind Gokhale, ASIP co-founder and CTO. "The 10T0006 enables subsystem developers to extend the operating temperature range of the next-generation of high-speed transceivers such as XFP. The MSA standard for XFP limits transceiver case temperatures to a maximum of 70 C. ASIP's new EML will allow designers to extend maximum operating temperatures to 80 C, or more."

The 10T0006 supports multiple data rates up to 10.7Gb/s and link distances up to 10 km as specified by Telcordia GR-253-CORE, ITU G.691, and IEEE 802.3ae. Unlike DMLs, the ASIP 1310 EML requires no complex, RF characterization to achieve performance specifications. Instead, a simple DC measurement is sufficient to guarantee mask margins of 30 percent for GbE links and 15 percent for SONET links. This combination of DC characterization and high operating margins greatly reduces testing costs, while improving total manufacturing yield. Cost analyses indicate that 10Gb/s transceivers designed with the ASIP 1310 EML have lower manufacturing costs than competing DML-based designs.

Transceiver power dissipation is similarly reduced with the ASIP EML. In 10GbE applications, for example, the ASIP EML can be driven with less than 1.7V. This reduced drive voltage allows the use of a low-power drive train and enables the path towards XFP power dissipation of 1.5W, or less. Lower power dissipation enables system designers to further increase port density, allowing XFP to meet its full application potential.

About ASIP, Inc.

ASIP, headquartered in Somerset, N.J., is an emerging leader in the development of advanced photonic integrated circuits, including high-speed laser sources and high-sensitivity photodetectors at both 10Gb/s and 40Gb/s. ASIP is the first company to provide integrated lasers at 10Gb/s transmission rates without requiring the use of thermoelectric coolers. These lasers are enabling the rapid deployment of 10Gb/s optical technology throughout the communications industry. The company was founded in July 2000 based on several years of research and development at Princeton University. ASIP's Asymmetric TwinGuide(TM) (ATG) technology is a highly-scalable platform for monolithic photonic integration and delivers unprecedented levels of functional integration, low cost, and world-class optical performance.

For more information, customers may visit ASIP's Web site at www.asipinc.com or contact ASIP's sales office at 1-866-708-ASIP. Customers outside of North America may call [phone]. Fax inquires may be directed to [phone], or email inquiries to [e-mail].