EMCORE Launches Very Short Reach OC-192 transponder for Optical Networking Equipment Manufacturers

New High Speed Transponder Designed for Use as Optical Interconnect for Very Short Reach (VSR) Applications

SOMERSET, NJ. EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), a leading provider of semiconductor technologies for global communications, today announced commercial availability of a new 300 pin MSA (multi source agreement) compliant transponder module to provide very short reach interconnections over parallel fiber links at SONET OC-192 data rates. The MTR8500 VSR Transponder is the first commercially available 300-pin transponder compliant with the Optical Internetworking Forum s VSR-1 Implementation Agreement (OIF-VSR4-0.10). The MTR8500 is the initial product offering from a family of EMCORE transponder products and will soon be followed by a small form factor version.

Designed to help solve data bottle necking problems for distances under 300 meters in central office (CO) or point-of-presence (POP) environments, the new module provides a cost effective alternative to more costly, comparable serial interconnects. EMCORE s new transponder performs logic-to-light and light-to-logic conversions for data transmission over multimode fiber ribbon cable, at a wavelength of 850nm, using a 1x12 array of EMCORE s leading edge proprietary oxide-confined VCSELs (vertical cavity surface emitting laser).

According to Dr Robert Bryan, Vice President of EMCORE s Fiber Optics division, Network capacity demands are continuing to grow. To meet this demand, EMCORE has leveraged its VCSEL expertise to develop a full range of high speed, high performance interconnect products aimed at alleviating data congestion problems in CO and POP environments.
This ambitious and innovative transponder offers an extraordinary level of integration for a fiber optic device. The functionality of the module and its compliance with widely accepted MSA module packages make it the logical choice for use in very short reach applications by optical networking equipment manufacturers.

The module complies with all applicable standards and industry agreements. The electrical interface complies with the OIF SERDES Framer Interface 4 (SFI-4) Implementation Agreement, for compatibility with OC-192 framer ICs. In addition, the optical interfaces and overall operation comply with the OIF VSR-1 Implementation Agreement (OIF-VSR4-0.10). The package dimensions and pin assignments follow the 300-pin OC-192 Transponder MSA and are plug compatible with other 300-pin OC-192 transponder products.

To address the increasing need for optical networking equipment manufactures to provide higher package density solutions, EMCORE will also bring to market a Small Form Factor (SFF) version of the 300-pin VSR1 OC-192 Transponder. Samples of the SFF VSR1 OC-192 transponder are anticipated to be available in the first quarter of 2002 with production release planned for the second quarter of 2002.

EMCORE Corporation offers a versatile portfolio of compound semiconductor products for the rapidly expanding broadband and wireless communications and solid-state lighting markets. The Company s integrated solutions philosophy embodies state of the art technology, material science expertise and a shared vision of our customer s goals and objectives to be leaders and pioneers in the rapidly growing world of compound semiconductors. EMCORE s solutions include: optical components for high speed data and telecommunications; solar cells for global satellite communications; electronic materials for high bandwidth communications systems, such as Internet access and wireless telephones; MOCVD tools for the growth of GaAs, AlGaAs, InP, InGaP, InGaAlP, InGaAsP, GaN, InGaN, AlGaN, and SiC epitaxial materials used in numerous applications, including data and telecommunications modules, cellular telephones, solar cells and high brightness LEDs. For further information about EMCORE, visit http://www.emcore.com

The information provided herein may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as ``expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, and estimates, and variations of these words and similar expressions, identify these forward looking statements. Actual operating results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements and are subject to certain risks, including risks arising from: cancellations, rescheduling or delays in product shipments; manufacturing capacity constraints; lengthy sales and qualification cycles; difficulties in the production process; changes in semiconductor industry growth, increased competition, delays in developing and commercializing new products, and other factors described in EMCORE s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and EMCORE does not assume any obligation to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Contact: Tom Miehe of Emcore Corporation Tel: +1 732-271-9090 Fax: +1 732-271-9686 or Glen Turvey of Richartz Fliss Clark & Pope Tel: +1 973-627-8180 Fax: +1 973-627-8410 turvey@rfcp.com