Chorum Technologies Introduces New Dynamic Optical Equalizers.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2001

Company to Demonstrate New Intelligent Optical Processing Products

At 2001 Optical Fiber Communications Conference in Anaheim

Chorum Technologies Inc., a leading provider of all-optical processors and subsystems, today announces its new PolarWave(R) Optical Harmonic Equalizer and Dynamic Gain Tilter for advanced optical signal processing applications in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks.

Chorum Technologies' Optical Harmonic Equalizer (OHE) utilizes the company's patented polarization processing and solid-state liquid crystal technologies to provide dynamic gain equalization for a new generation of optical networks. The OHE dynamically adjusts the gain profile of an optical amplifier to ensure that the power levels of DWDM optical signals are equalized without requiring a conversion from optical-to-electrical-to-optical. The dynamic OHE enables more cost-effective, higher bandwidth and longer-reach optical networks.

The intelligent, all-optical dynamic signal processing technique of the OHE provides rapid optical signal power equalization with excellent wide-band spectral flatness and low optical loss in a compact package. Alternative equalization options are either fixed or are not dynamic, or require all channels to be demultiplexed, individually attenuated, then re-multiplexed together. These alternative solutions typically are costly, have high insertion loss and require substantial equipment rack space. Chorum Technologies' OHE simultaneously processes all optical signals over the entire C or L spectral bands, thereby reducing cost, size and improving optical performance.

Chorum Technologies' is also announcing the Dynamic Gain Tilter (DGT), a new product that dynamically introduces user-defined gain tilt into current and next-generation amplifiers. This feature enables rapid service provisioning and eliminates typical amplifier aging effects that degrade optical network performance. The DGT, which also incorporates Chorum Technologies' patented polarization processing and solid-state liquid crystal technologies, dynamically 'tilts' the broadband optical signal gain profile through variable user-defined control. The DGT offers excellent spectral uniformity and low optical loss. It also features solid-state reliability, low power consumption, no vibration or electrical noise and is offered in a compact card-mountable package.

Chorum Technologies' OHE is part of the company's PolarModule(TM) line of optical subsystems. The DGT is part of the company's PolarTune(TM) line of optical processors. Both products incorporate Chorum Technologies' advanced liquid crystal technologies, which are qualified to Telcordia GR 1221 standards. Other product lines in the PolarWave family include PolarCast(TM) optical filters and PolarShift(TM) optical switches.

"Chorum Technologies has introduced a very exciting new product that solves an industry-wide problem in a very unique way," said Scott Grout, Chorum Technologies president and CEO. "With these new products, network equipment manufacturers now have a dynamic, high performance and cost-effective solution to help them realize substantially greater network transmission distances and increased data rates in their next-generation, ultra long-haul systems -- ultimately, lowering first cost and ongoing operational cost."

In addition to the OHE and DGT, Chorum Technologies also announced today (see separate release) its PolarWave(R) Dynamic Variable Attenuator (DVA) Array at the Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC).

Chorum Technologies will demonstrate its full line of PolarWave products at exhibit hall booth No. 3056 at OFC. Product demonstrations will be available at these times:

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2001

9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2001

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2001

About Chorum Technologies

Chorum Technologies Inc. is a leading innovator of all-optical processors and subsystems in the fast-growing fiber-optics market. Chorum Technologies' PolarWave(TM)family of optical filtering, switching, routing and processing technologies enables networks that are faster, more flexible and more cost effective than today's networks. Chorum Technologies Inc. was founded in 1996 and is based in the Telecom Corridor(R)of Richardson, Texas. For more information, visit www.chorumtech.com.

PolarWave, PolarModule and PolarTune are trademarks of Chorum Technologies Inc. Telecom Corridor is a registered trademark of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.