MONROVIA, Calif. -- Integrated Micromachines Incorporated (IMMI), acomponent start-up in 3D optical MEMS, will unveil its patent-pending ELITE(Extremely Low-loss Inductive Torsional Engines) technology at the OpticalFiber Communication (OFC) Conference which will be held March 17-22, 2001 inAnaheim, California.

The ELITE technology is based on single crystal silicon and electromagneticactuation, resulting in low insertion loss and low drive voltage. Low lossswitching technology brings many system-level benefits. For example, it isnow possible to use less optically efficient but more manageable fiberribbon array connectors, thereby reducing service time from days to minutes.With low voltage, it is possible to integrate MEMS with CMOS ASIC, therebyeliminating external driver circuitry.

“MEMS is an intrinsically scaleable manufacturing methodology ideally suitedfor the fabrication of thousands of microscopic mirrors. However, theAchilles’ heel for the practical implementation of optical MEMS is theinterconnect. Without quick-disconnect array connectors, one would have tomanage thousands of individual fibers. Similarly, without MEMS/ASICintegration, one would have to connect tens of thousands of individualelectrical wires. Our customers are demanding serviceability andmanufacturability. The benefits of low-loss and low-voltage are triviallyobvious and highly visible to our customers.” Said Dr. Denny K Miu, Founderand CEO of IMMI.

At the OFC, IMMI will demonstrate working prototypes and present a productroadmap leading to the delivery of small form factor 1K-by-1K all-opticalswitches with less than 3 dB insertion loss. IMMI is funded by AdamsCapital Management, Cisco Systems, INVESCO Private Capital, Juniper CapitalVentures, SunAmerica Ventures, Venture TDF and other investors.

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