VSK Photonics Announces Three New Products; In-House Indium Phosphide Fabrication Facility Produces High-Performance Receivers.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

LAKE FOREST, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2002

VSK Photonics Inc., a supplier of active photonic components for fiber-optic telecommunications, announced three new receiver products produced in its in-house Indium Phosphide fabrication facility.

The VSK10R, VSK12R and VSK40R are high-performance receiver components designed for high-speed (10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s) optical network applications. VSK is focused on optical "receivers for the network."

"Today, we are announcing three new products, based on devices built in our state-of-the-art InP wafer fab, just one year after VSK's initial financing round," said Dr. Donald E. Ackley, VSK's President and Chief Executive Officer. "It is particularly rewarding to deliver on our founding vision with industry leading products manufactured entirely in our fabrication and packaging facilities," Ackley added.

The VSK10R01 10 Gb/s OEIC receiver module incorporates an active photodetector circuit with an integrated pre-amplifier designed to provide APD-like performance while operating at low voltages. With a supply voltage of 5V, the VSK10R01 provides optical sensitivity of -25 dBm, a dynamic range (greater than) 20 dB, bandwidth (greater than) 8.5 GHz and exceptionally high conversion gain (greater than) 7000 V/W. The VSK10R01 targets replacing APD receivers in metro and long haul systems. The product is extremely versatile with applications in client- and line-side terminal equipment, transponders, extended reach, and optical performance monitoring.

The VSK12R01 receiver module incorporates a high-performance photodetector with an integrated pre-amplifier designed to provide superior 12.5 Gb/s performance while operating at low voltages. With a supply voltage of 5V, the VSK12R01 provides optical sensitivity up to -20 dBm, a dynamic range (greater than) 20 dB, and a bandwidth (greater than) 12 GHz. The VSK12R01 product line is ideally suited for ultra long-haul applications with forward error correction.

The VSK40R01 incorporates a waveguide photodetector to provide industry leading performance. With a responsivity of 0.9 A/W, the VSK40R01 offers ground breaking performance for high data-rate communications and is ideally suited to replace surface-illuminated pin-based receivers in long-haul systems. Combined with bandwidths in excess of 50 GHz, it is also well suited to handle forward error correction overhead.

VSK leverages its proprietary expertise in Indium Phosphide semiconductors to develop optoelectronic devices and modules for high-speed (10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s) optical network applications. The combination of VSK's vertically integrated approach (fab, design, packaging, test) and focus on receivers for the network offers significant customer advantages.

"VSK's commitment to an in-house wafer fabrication facility gives the company total ownership leading to lowest cost, enhanced quality control and eliminates outside fab supply risk," noted Kevin Patrick, VSK's VP of Marketing. "It also shortens design cycles which enables a faster time to market response," Patrick continued.

VSK recently opened its 2,800-square-foot, class 100, state-of-the-art Indium Phosphide fabrication plant in Southern California, which is capable of manufacturing in excess of 10 million devices a year.

"Our experienced team built the fab in near record time of 11 weeks," said John Lungo, VSK Director of Semiconductor Operations. "It is now fully operational and is currently producing wafer lots for both manufacturing and development," he concluded.

VSK expects to release and sample initial quantities of its products in the second quarter of 2002.

Recently, in February 2002, VSK Photonics announced another round of funding, closing its Series A.

About VSK Photonics Inc.

VSK Photonics, a supplier of active photonic components for fiber-optic telecommunications, is focused on InP-based products for 10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s applications. These high-performance optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) components and modules offer solutions for the evolving needs of the telecommunications industry, specifically system providers, transponder suppliers, and test and measurement manufacturers.

VSK is committed to state-of-the-art manufacturing capability to fabricate and assemble its products. Founded in December 2000, VSK raised its initial Series A funding in the first quarter of 2001. The company is located at 100 North Pointe Ave., Lake Forest, Calif. For more information on VSK Photonics, visit www.vskphotonics.com.