ASIP Introduces Industry's First Uncooled, Integrated Laser and Modulator for Enterprise and Metro Applications.

Business/Technology Editors

SOMERSET, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2002

World's First Commercially-Available Uncooled 10Gb/s EML Offers Superior Performance Over Direct-Modulated Lasers at Comparable Costs

ASIP, Inc., an emerging leader in the development of photonic integrated circuits, announced today the availability of its first commercial product, the 10T101, which is a 10Gb/s, 1310nm Electro-absorption Modulated Laser (EML). The 10T101 significantly improves the quality and design margin of 10 Gb/s data links, while eliminating the need for power-hungry thermoelectric coolers, normally required when using EML sources.

ASIP's 10T101 is targeted at the next-generation of optical transceivers that will serve both the enterprise and telecom markets. Sample quantities of ASIP's 10T101 are available immediately, with volume production in the first quarter of 2003.

"With the 10T101 EML, ASIP is simultaneously demonstrating the unique potential of its technology platform, while delivering to the marketplace a highly sought-after product," said Mike Decelle, ASIP president and CEO. "Subsystem developers no longer must choose between laser quality and laser cost when designing the new generation of 10G transceivers. The 10T101 delivers the superior performance of EMLs - without the use of thermoelectric coolers - and at a price point that is competitive with Direct-Modulated Lasers (DMLs)."

The ASIP 10T101 is first being offered in a Chip-on-Submount (CoS) form-factor and is optimized for use in module Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) applications, such as XFP, X2 and XPAK. These next-generation modules will serve a variety of applications including 10Gb/s Ethernet, 10Gb/s Fibre Channel and OC-192/STM-64 SONET/SDH. Unlike 10Gbps DMLs, the ASIP 10T101 maintains high extinction ratio, wide bandwidth and very low jitter across its operating temperature range of 0(degree) to 85(degree)C. The 10T101 submount can be designed to specific customer requirements and provides for a integrated monitor photodiode, thermistor and bias tee.

Milind Gokhale, ASIP co-founder and CTO, said, "Our customers tell us that our EML platform delivers two key advantages over DMLs: first, unparalleled eye quality at high operating temperatures. Eye quality translates directly to design margin. ASIP's eye margins are typically in the range of 25 percent or more, compared with DMLs that struggle to achieve single-digits. The second advantage is application simplicity: DMLs typically require a complex driver design that is challenging to optimize and maintain over all operating conditions. The 10T101 greatly simplifies this design challenge."

The initial version of the 10T101 will support data rates up to 10.75Gb/s and link distances up to 10km as specified by Telcordia GR-253-CORE, ITU G.691 and IEEE 802.3ae. Future versions of the ASIP EML will extend transmission distances to 80km.

The 10T101 is built on ASIP's Asymmetric TwinGuideTM (ATG) technology, a highly-scalable platform for monolithic integration of a wide array of optical functions. Using standard and proven semiconductor fabrication techniques, ASIP has overcome the traditionally poor yield of complex, Indium Phosphide-based devices, helping customers deliver low cost, high performance solutions to the market.

ASIP, headquartered in Somerset, N.J., USA, is an emerging leader in the development of advanced, photonic integrated circuits, initially including high-speed laser sources and high-sensitivity photodetectors at both 10Gb/s and 40Gb/s. The company was founded in July 2000 based on several years of research and development at Princeton University. ASIP's core technology, licensed exclusively from Princeton, is Asymmetric TwinGuide(TM) (ATG), which 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 product 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].