Agere Systems Announces Integrated L-Band Raman Pump Module for Use With Fiber Amplifiers In Optical Networking Systems

Source: Agere Systems

Breinigsville, PA. Agere Systems, formerly known as the Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), today announced an L-band Raman pump module for high-speed optical transmission systems, combining passive optical components and multiple pump lasers in the same package. The module is designed for use with erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) to improve signal performance and lengthen transmission distances between repeaters.

Based on Agere Systems expertise in amplifier and pump laser technology, the module can be customized to accommodate diverse system requirements in new or existing optical networking systems. The Raman pump module can be implemented externally to an existing EDFA or it can be physically integrated as part of the pre-amplifier section of an EDFA. Raman amplification improves on EDFA performance by reducing the noise figure, offering a flexible gain profile and enhancing gain flatness. These attributes enable higher channel counts, faster transmission speeds and longer distances between regeneration sites for system manufacturers.

"Raman amplification provides optimal performance and can help system manufacturers achieve cost benefits for high-speed transmission, making it desirable for use in 10- and 40-gigabit-per-second optical networks " explained Stefan Rochus, marketing director for Agere Systems. "Agere s Raman solution offers our amplifier customers greater performance and flexibility in an integrated package, extending the distance between EDFAs and allowing for future data-rate growth."

Agere Systems offers a broad range of technologies to support Raman amplification. At the heart of the Raman module are 14xx nanometer (nm) pump lasers, which provide the high optical power needed to achieve signal amplification within the transmission fiber. Agere Systems has a long and successful history of developing and manufacturing high-powered indium- phosphide (InP) lasers, including 14xx nm pump lasers for terrestrial and submarine applications, based on innovations from Bell Labs, Lucent s R&D arm.

In addition to pump lasers, the module also includes a range of passive components -- including taps, isolators and combiners -- required for multiple functions within optical amplifiers. Critical to these passive components are thin-film filters, which enable wavelength management functions such as separation and combination. Agere Systems develops and manufactures these filters in-house using the staff, facilities and technology acquired last year from Herrmann Technology. When combined with its automation platform for laser manufacturing, Agere will be able to offer customers integrated, tailored Raman pump modules.

"Systems manufacturers need flexible solutions to successfully deploy Raman amplification in the network," Rochus said. "Agere Systems intends to produce these modules in volume using a common manufacturing platform."

Samples of the Raman pump module are expected to be available to customers in the second calendar quarter of 2001, with production quantities in the third calendar quarter. In addition to L-band modules, units in C-band will also be available.

Also announced this week, Agere Systems is offering a new dynamic gain equalization filter, which is compatible with this Raman pump module solution. Both products will be featured in a combined active demonstration at this year s Optical Fiber Communication conference in Anaheim, Calif., being held March 19-21.

Agere Systems Inc., formerly known as the Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies, is the world leader in semiconductors for communications applications. Lucent has announced it intends to spin off Agere Systems as an independent company. Agere Systems offers integrated optoelectronics and integrated circuit solutions to help customers reduce the time and expense of developing new communications equipment. It also provides wireless computer networking solutions through its ORiNOCO product line. More information about Agere Systems is available from its Web site at http://www.agere.com.

This press release does not constitute an offering of any securities which will be made only by a prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current information available to the company as of the date hereof that involve risks and uncertainties. The company s actual results could differ materially from those results stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion of a distribution of Agere stock by Lucent Technologies Inc., price and product competition, keeping pace with technological change, dependence on new product development, reliance on major customers and suppliers, customer demand for our products and services, availability of manufacturing capacity, components and materials, control of costs and expenses, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Contact: Glen Haley Tel: 908-508-8662 glenhaley@agere.com or Carl Blesch Tel: 908-508-8412 Tel (home): 908-306-0784 cblesch@agere.com both of Agere Systems