Arroyo Debuts Wavelength Blocker

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Arroyo Optics, a manufacturer of wavelength management solutions for telecommunications equipment manufacturers, today announced the UltraFilter UF50-POF Programmable Optical Filter, a software-controlled wavelength management solution enabling remotely reconfigurable, flexible long-haul networks. Based upon the company’s proprietary technology, the UltraFilter UF50-POF provides the capability of independently equalizing, attenuating and blocking any or all wavelengths in the C-band at 50 GHz channel spacings. Delivering superior optical performance, the UF50-POF is ideal for wavelength blocking, dynamic channel equalization (DCE), reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing (ROADM) and wavelength routing applications in high performance long-haul networks. The UltraFilter UF50-POF ultimately reduces network complexity as well as operating and capital costs by enabling remote, dynamic channel reconfiguration and eliminating the need for multiple discrete wavelength filtering components.

Using Arroyo Optics’ highly reliable, mature liquid crystal-based technology and novel opto-mechanical design, the UltraFilter UF50-POF yields a spectral response characterized by wide, flat passbands, low chromatic dispersion, virtually no PDL, very low insertion loss (<4 dB) and high extinction (>40 dB.) The UF50-POF is a fully hermetic package, ensuring long-term stability over temperature and environmental conditions. A compact footprint allows easy system integration.

The company is currently shipping samples of its UltraFilter UF50-POF Programmable Optical Filter. Mr. Hatch Graham, interim CEO of Arroyo Optics, states, “We are thrilled with the interest and demand for our initial UltraFilter product. We believe this outstanding reception is clear affirmation that the product’s performance and design are best-in-class and deliver what systems providers require.”

The UltraFilter UF50-POF is priced below $25k for low volumes and reduced pricing for higher volume purchases. General availability of pre-production units is scheduled for the end of 2003. The company is also developing an UltraFilter platform to address Metro and Regional network applications featuring an ultra small form factor and 100 GHz channel spacings, and is planning to officially announce the product later this year.

Arroyo Optics