Chorum Technologies Unveils Solid-State Dynamic Optical Attenuator Array Designed to Improve Optical Network Performance.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

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

PolarWave(TM) Dynamic Variable Attenuator (DVA) Array Delivers

High Performance and Reliability for Dynamic Optical Networks

Chorum Technologies Inc., a leading innovator of all-optical processors and subsystems in the fast-growing fiber-optics market, today introduced the PolarWave(TM) Dynamic Variable Attenuator (DVA) Array, a voltage-controlled, solid-state optical variable attenuator for high-performance optical networks.

Based on Chorum Technologies' polarization processing and liquid crystal technologies, the PolarWave DVA Array precisely and dynamically regulates the power of optical signals to maintain consistent high signal quality during optical transmission. With Chorum Technologies' DVA Array, the distance an optical signal can travel before requiring a boost from an optical amplifier is significantly extended, thus providing network operators significant cost savings by reducing the number of expensive optical amplifiers or electrical regenerators required to transmit traffic along their networks.

"In ultra-high capacity, dynamic optical networks, the signal levels of hundreds of optical channels are constantly changing. In this environment, it is very important to be able to reliably and precisely control optical channel power," said Doug Dickerson, Chorum Technologies vice president of marketing and business development. "With our DVA Array, optical network equipment providers for the first time have a more reliable, higher-performance solution than has been available with traditional fixed or mechanically tuned attenuation technologies."

Chorum Technologies' DVA Arrays are fully customizable to customer specifications. The four-channel array combines four attenuators into a single compact package. With the integration, Chorum Technologies has produced a multi-element attenuator requiring 30 percent less space than existing mechanical solutions.

Compared with alternative technologies, the PolarWave DVA Array features no moving parts, high attenuation resolution, compact size and low optical insertion loss. Chorum Technologies' DVA Array is compliant with Telcordia GR 1221 standards.

Key applications include:

-- Dynamic DWDM channel regulation

-- Optical network protection and restoration

-- Dynamic system monitoring

-- Multiplexed optical testing

In addition to the DVA Array, Chorum Technologies also introduced today (see separate release) the PolarWave Optical Harmonic Equalizer (OHE) and Dynamic Gain Tilter (DGT) at the Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC).

Chorum Technologies will demonstrate its PolarWave line of products at exhibit hall booth #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 Inc.

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(TM) is a trademark of Chorum Technologies Inc. Telecom Corridor is a registered trademark of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.