CoreTek Wins Commercial Technology Achievement Award.

Business/Technology Editors

WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2000

CoreTek Inc., a Massachusetts based start-up that is developing innovative solutions for evolving optical networks, announced today that it is a recipient of Laser Focus World's Commercial Technology Achievement Award. This award will be presented later this week at a reception held at the Photonics West Show at the San Jose Convention Center.

This award is being presented in the Optics category for CoreTek's MEM-TUNE(tm) tunable filter. The MEM-TUNE(tm) tunable filter, which is based on an innovative implementation of a MEMS (micro-electromechanical) technology, provides a breakthrough solution for Telecommunications applications that require continuous and rapid tuning over a wide wavelength range. CoreTek's MEM-TUNE(tm) is ideal in applications such as Channel Monitoring in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems where channel wavelengths, power levels and Signal/Noise ratios are being constantly monitored to ensure signal integrity. The filter sweeps through the entire C and L band in less than 10 micro-second with superior channel resolution. When used in a DWDM receiver application, the MEM-TUNE(tm) tunable filter enables a new level of service performance by introducing the concept of flexibility and reconfigurability in Optical Drops.

Carole Root, Assistant Editor at Laser Focus World, said, &uot;this recognition confers on CoreTek, the unique distinction of having brought to market a product deemed of exceptional commercial significance.&uot;

Dr. Parviz Tayebati, President and CEO of CoreTek, also commented &uot;.. this award represents recognition that the technology has matured and that our products are deployment ready&uot;. Providing affirmation of the inherent reliability and product readiness, Dr. Tayebati further indicated, &uot;we have tested the MEM-TUNE(tm) the equivalent of almost 800 years of operation in a typical systems application.&uot; The ruggedness along with the small compact size of the MEM-TUNE(tm) enables integration in Fiber Amplifiers as well as hand held devices for field channel monitoring applications. Dr. Tayebati concluded, &uot;the potential of this product is tremendous and I can envision CoreTek's tunable filter in every Fiber Amplifier deployed in the future.&uot;

CoreTek has developed and is commercializing a &uot;break-through&uot; component technology that combines micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technology with active optical sources. In addition to the tunable filter, the current product line includes tunable lasers for WDM channel sparing applications and as primary sources in Long Haul and Metropolitan dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems. CoreTek's product line and planned product line extensions also addresses the evolving telecommunications applications for Optical Cross Connects (OXC) and Wavelength Routers. CoreTek recently announced its $20.5 million second round of financing led by Oak Investment Partners and which also included Adams Capital Management, Hillman Capital, JK& Capital, and Broadview.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.coretekinc.com or contact Tom Dudley; VP, Marketing at 978-570-1200.