Meade Instruments and AirFiber Introduce Nashira Subsystem for Free-Space Optics.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif. & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2002

Meade Instruments Corp. (Nasdaq:MEAD) and AirFiber, Inc., a privately held developer of free-space optical equipment, today announced that they have jointly completed development of Nashira(TM), an optical subsystem designed to optimize quality and reliability for carrier class free-space optical communications.

Free-space optics is a wireless technology that gives telecommunications carriers the ability to quickly provide fiber-like services without the cost and expense of installing fiber.

Designed by Meade Instruments and AirFiber pursuant to a strategic development agreement, Nashira is expected to be a key component in AirFiber's recently introduced 5000 series of carrier class products. The subsystem's polarized optics facilitate the use of a shared aperture, which minimizes weight and cost; and its precision-ground lenses ensure a beam of superior quality, which is necessary in maintaining a reliable free-space optical link.

"Meade has helped us develop a key component with minimized size and weight while ensuring that the subsystem as a whole provides consistent performance over a wide range of temperatures," said Scott Bloom, Chief Technical Officer of AirFiber, Inc. "In addition, it is critical that our equipment adhere to the most stringent requirements of carriers worldwide. Accordingly, Nashira has been designed to withstand everyday external events, including vibration and shock."

"Like Meade, AirFiber is uncompromising in its desire to maximize functionality and reliability while minimizing cost," said John C. Diebel, chairman and CEO of Meade Instruments. "With the development work behind us, we now look forward to supplying AirFiber with the finished subsystems."

AirFiber, Inc., with headquarters in San Diego, is a developer of free-space optics, a telecommunications technology that wirelessly provides fiber-like broadband capacity at a fraction of the time and cost of installing fiber. AirFiber's products have been designed to adhere to the most stringent telecommunications carrier requirements to meld seamlessly into their networks and withstand the most rigorous of conditions. For more information, please contact Geoff Mordock of AirFiber, Inc. at 858-676-7177, or visit the AirFiber Web site at www.airfiber.com.

Meade Instruments Corp. is a leading designer and manufacturer of optical products including telescopes and accessories for the beginning-to-serious amateur astronomer. Meade also offers a complete line of binoculars that address the needs of everyone from the casual viewer to the serious sporting or birding observer. The Company distributes its products worldwide through a network of specialty retailers, mass merchandisers and foreign distributors. Additional information on Meade is available at www.meade.com.

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