Mitel Demonstrates Best-in-Class Short-Reach Optical Interconnect Modules

623-family of Parallel Fiber Modules aims for new price/performance ratio

OTTAWA. Mitel technology demonstrated at Optical Fiber Conference in Baltimore

Mitel Semiconductor, a division of Mitel Corporation (TSE:MLT. - news; ME:MLT. - news; NYSE:MLT - news; LSE:MLT.L) today announced the 623-family of parallel fiber modules to serve the emerging requirements for short-reach optical interconnect in large-scale computing and communication systems. Mitel s 623-family of parallel fiber modules provides short- and medium- reach interconnects in and between network gear in the central office. The new modules combine Mitel s Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and patented Smart OSA packaging technologies to deliver the industry s best price/performance ratio.

Technology evolution required for Internet-driven bandwidth growth

Mitel expects the market for very short-reach parallel fiber to grow beyond US $1 billion within four years. The Internet is driving this growth, as it continues to push the limits of available network bandwidth. To help meet Internet bandwidth demand, manufacturers of routers, switches, and DWDM optical cross-connects are developing scaleable architectures that use fiber optics to interconnect the chassis, racks, and shelves of multi-terabit capacity equipment. Parallel fiber modules improve channel cost and density, enabling the all-fiber architectures that will displace the current interconnect scheme made up of conventional copper and single-channel fiber optic links.

"We are at the forefront of an emerging market that will increase in concert with the exploding bandwidth requirements of the Internet, said Francois Cordeau, senior vice president and general manager, Mitel Semiconductor. "We are helping Mitel customers get to market first with high-density networking products that scale easily with increased bandwidth, thanks to all-fiber interconnect architectures utilizing hassle-free, plug-n-play parallel fiber modules.

Mitel enables cost-effective, short-reach interconnect

Applications for Mitel s 623-family of parallel fiber modules include interconnects from board-to-board, board-to-optical backplane, shelf-to-shelf, and rack-to-rack within and between terabit-class switches, routers, and transport equipment.

Mitel s Smart OSA technology is based on a modular concept that provides customers with a highly differentiated product portfolio in terms of transmission capacity, transmitter/receiver/transceiver configurations, and fiber connector options. The 623-family includes twelve-, eight-, and four-channel transmitters and receivers capable of 2.5 Gbps per channel for 30 Gbps, 20 Gbps, and 10 Gbps transmission over lengths up to 300 meters. The modules are available with MPX(tm), MPO/MTP, and MT connector options.

Industry s best price/performance ratio

Mitel s patented Smart OSA technology aims to deliver a new price/performance record for the industry by significantly improving fiber coupling performance, as well as simplifying the assembly of optical interconnects. In simulations the modules achieve a channel bit error rate (BER) of 10-15, which is three orders of magnitude higher performance than competitive solutions. This enables optimal data integrity in high-density networks.

The 623-family of modules is also designed to fit the existing, fully automated assembly lines of high-volume contract manufacturers. Mitel s modules are pick-n-place and surface-mountable, offering ease of manufacturing.

"The development of our Smart OSA technology is driven by our vision to make modules that are as easy as ICs for customers to work with, said Olof Svenonius, product line manager, parallel fiber modules, Mitel Semiconductor."We have removed the need for manual assembly steps and the specialty equipment required for high-performance fiber optics. This means further cost reductions and faster time to market for our customers.

Collaboration for complete solutions

Mitel is collaborating with industry leaders AMCC, Tyco Electronics (formerly AMP), and US Conec to enable the 623-family of parallel fiber modules to seamlessly interface to a range of complementary products. This includes Serializer/Deserializer (SERDES) ICs from AMCC, the Lightray MPX(tm) fiber connectivity system from Tyco Electronics, and the MPO/MTP-based fiber connectivity system from US Conec. The combination results in complete solutions for short-reach optical interconnects, enabling customers to bring new products to market faster.

Standards compliance

The device includes a differential CML interface, and meets requirements for MPX(tm), MPO/MTP, and MT fiber connector options. The modules confirm to eye safety standards as required by FDA Class 1 and IEC Class 3A specifications.

Price and availability

The 623-family of parallel fiber modules will be sampling in the summer of 2000, with volume production scheduled for the fourth quarter. Supplied in a J-lead dual in-line package, pricing for the 12-channel MFT62340 (transmitter) and MFR62340 (receiver) is US $440 per pair in 10k quantities.

Mitel is demonstrating the 623-family at the Optical Fiber Conference in Baltimore, Maryland from March 7-9 at booth 2993, Hall G.

About Mitel

Mitel Semiconductor specializes in connectivity solutions for the communications and medical industries with a product range that includes components for both wired and wireless networks; microelectronics for enabling the convergence of voice and data; optoelectronic devices for high-speed Internet systems; and applications-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for medical applications such as pacemakers and hearing aids.

Mitel is a growing global provider of converging voice and data systems and applications, and specialty semiconductors for the communications industry. The company has annual revenues of more than $1.3 billion and employs some 6,000 people worldwide.

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the risks discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in those filings.

MPX and Lightray MPX are trademarks of Tyco Electronics.

Contact:

Mitel Semiconductor
Patti Dalby, 613/ 592-2122
E-mail: patti_dalby@mitel.com
Web Site: www.mitel.com
or
BW&A
Tiana Wiersma, 503/ 241-1574
Web Site: tiana@bwapr.com