Agere Announces Industry's First 10 Gigabit-Per-Second Tunable Laser Transmitter

Source: Agere Systems

Device integrates multiple functions for transmitting up to 20 separate optical channels

Anaheim, CA. Agere Systems, formerly known as the Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), today announced the industry s first 10 gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) tunable laser transmitter for both short- and long-haul high-speed optical networking systems. The transmitter features wavelength tunability of up to 20 channels spaced at 50-gigahertz (GHz) intervals in a compact module.

Based on electroabsorptive modulated laser (EML) technology, the new C92 transmitter combines a tunable laser and an electroabsorptive modulator on a common silicon platform (that is, monolithically integrated), along with a modulator driver, wavelength stabilizer, photodetector and other electronic components in a small-form-factor package. This integration can allow manufacturers of high-speed optical networking systems to shorten the time it takes to bring new products to market. The functionality of the device enables provisioning applications that are wavelength-agile (i.e. switching different wavelengths in real time) and offers manufacturers the opportunity to reduce inventories.

The C92 transmitter features built-in patented LambdaLock spectral stabilization which "locks" the laser emission to any of up to 20 adjacent 50-GHz channel spacings, providing wavelength stability better than 20 picometers (pm). The onboard microprocessor controls various transmitter functions such as average optical power, wavelength and modulation characteristics. Customers can program a channel command through an RS232 software interface to change wavelength and to monitor the transmitter performance. The transmitter is ideal for terminal equipment in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications from metro to extended-reach systems up to 40 kilometers.

"Our new 10 gigabit-per-second device builds upon Agere Systems experience in tunable transmitters," said Erin Byrne, senior marketing manager for Agere Systems. "By offering higher levels of integration and functionality, Agere Systems helps reduce design time for systems manufacturers, and enables cost savings through inventory reduction."

Agere Systems introduced the industry s first 2.5 gigabit tunable transmitter last March as well as the first 20-channel tunable laser module in September of 2000.

The new transmitter is compatible with products in Agere s C-48 family of cooled laser transmitters, allowing systems designers to easily substitute modules to satisfy varying transmission requirements.

Agere Systems will feature the C92 tunable transmitter here at the Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) conference this week. Samples of the C92 are slated for the second quarter of 2001 with production quantities expected by the fourth quarter of 2001.

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 the 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 (office) Tel: 973 276-0295 (home) glenhaley@agere.com or Carl Blesch Tel: 908 508-8412 (office) Tel: 908 306-0784 (home) cblesch@agere.com