SUGAR LAND, Texas -- Applied Optoelectronics, Inc., a leading manufacturer of laser diodes for fiber optic communications systems, announced today the availability of lasers for Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexed (CWDM) systems.

CWDM is an emerging standard for multiplying the bandwidth that can be transmitted on an optical fiber. The standard is a low-cost alternative to expensive Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), offering a route to increased bandwidth without expensive DWDM components or additional fiber installation.

AOI's CWDM lasers are offered in three versions.

The first version, the DFB-1xxx-C5-x-2.5 series, is designed for digital transmission applications, with data rates of up to 2.5 gigabits per second. It is intended primarily for metropolitan area networks and high-speed access applications, including deep-fiber architectures.

The second version, the DFB-1xxx-C5-x-A series, is designed for analog transmission applications, especially hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks. The lasers are particularly well suited for multiplying the available bandwidth in the analog return-path portion of a cable-television network.

The third version is available in both a temperature-stabilized package, the DFB-1xxx-BF-xx-A2 series, and an inexpensive un-cooled package, the DFB-1xxx-C5-x-A4 series. These lasers are intended for use in direct analog transmission of signals up to 2.4 GHz, such as in antenna remotes for mobile telephone networks.

"As network operators search for more cost-effective means of utilizing their existing fiber plants, CWDM technology enables the addition of capacity without large capital expenditures," said Stefan Murry, Director of Sales and Marketing at AOI. "Particularly in cable television networks, where return-path bandwidth is often constrained, AOI's new CWDM components offer the flexibility to add additional bandwidth incrementally, thereby reducing the cost of required capital equipment."

All of AOI's laser products are manufactured in its own epitaxy facility and wafer fab near Houston, TX. The facility is ISO 9001:2000 registered to ensure the highest quality standards.

Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI)