Lucent Technologies Announces Industry's First 20-Channel Tunable Integrated Laser Module for High-speed Optical Networking Systems.

Business Editors, Hi-Tech Writers

MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 4, 2000

Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) Microelectronics Group today announced the fiber-optic industry's first 20-channel continuous wave (CW) tunable laser module for both short- and long-haul, high-speed optical networking systems. The device offers twice as many tunable channels as Lucent's current generation of tunable transmitters.

Based on tunable electroabsorptive modulated laser (EML) technology pioneered at Bell Labs, the new CW20P laser module combines numerous electrical and optoelectronic components, including a patented wavelength locker for increased stability, all in one package. This integration enables manufacturers of high-speed optical networking systems to cut their costs and component inventories, while reducing the time it takes to bring new products to market.

The CW20P includes a highly integrated single-chip 1.5-micron distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser, booster amplifier and photodetector. It also features built-in patented LambdaLock spectral stabilization which "locks" the laser emission to any of 20 adjacent 50-gigahertz (GHz) channels, providing stability better than 20 picometers (pm). A microprocessor-driven RS-232 interface controls various module functions, such as average optical output power and wavelength characteristics. The laser module is ideal for terminal equipment in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications from metro to extended-reach systems, and can be used with an external modulator to operate in either 10 and 40 gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) transmission systems.

"Our new 20-channel device enhances Lucent's position in wavelength tunable components," said Kim Trapp, marketing director of optoelectronic components for Lucent's Microelectronics Group. "This latest tunable solution answers the call of system designers who require increasingly higher levels of integration, functionality, and wavelength agility, while reducing costs, inventories and design time. Just six months ago we introduced the industry's first 10-channel tunable transmitter and shortly before that, the industry's first four-channel device."

"This product follows on Lucent's ability to continue expanding the number of tunable channels and to maintain added features such as the wavelength locker," said Tom Hausken, optical communications senior analyst with Strategies Unlimited, a market research firm. "It is yet another important development for reducing the number of primary and spare source components needed in transmission systems."

The new laser module is designed to work with Lucent's 10 and 40 Gbit/s lithium niobate modulators. The pin configuration of this module is compatible with Lucent's C-48 family of cooled laser transmitters. Complete with integrated laser driver, the CW20P operates at power supplies of 5.0 and 3.3 volts, including analog monitors and digital alarms, and has a power output of 20 milliwatts (mW). The device operates over the C-band wavelength range, which is between 1528.77 and 1563.86 nanometers (nm).

Lucent is demonstrating the CW20P and exhibiting its broad line of optoelectronic components here at the 26th European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) in Munich, Germany, September 4-6. Samples of the CW20P are expected to be available by December 2000 with volume production expected by the first quarter of 2001. Unit pricing is expected to be approximately US$4,000.

For more product information, customers may call the Microelectronics Group Customer Response Center, 1-800-372-2447, Dept. N53 (in Canada, 1-800-553-2448), Dept. N53; fax number 1-610-712-4106 (especially for callers outside of North America) or write to Lucent Technologies, Room 30L-15P-BA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18109. The direct dial number for international inquires is 1-610-712-4323. Email: [e-mail].

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers the systems, software, silicon and services for next-generation communications networks for service providers and enterprises. Backed by the research and development of Bell Labs, Lucent focuses on high-growth areas such as broadband and mobile Internet infrastructure; communications software; communications semiconductors and optoelectronics; Web-based enterprise solutions that link private and public networks; and professional network design and consulting services. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site at http://www.lucent.com.

Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group is the $4 billion world leader in semiconductors for communications applications. Lucent has announced it will spin off the Microelectronics Group as an independent company that will include its optoelectronics and integrated circuits divisions. The spin-off, slated for completion by the summer of 2001, will create the only major stand-alone semiconductor company that can offer end-to-end networking solutions that address the convergence of photonics and electronics based on leadership in both integrated circuits and optoelectronic components. The new company will also provide wireless computer networking system solutions through its ORiNOCO(TM) product line. More information about the Microelectronics Group is available from its web site at http://www.lucent.com/micro.

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