Finisar, Sumitomo Share TechnologyFinisar, Sumitomo Share Technology

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR), a technology leader in gigabit fiber optic solutions for high-speed data networks, and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (SEI) a leading global supplier of optical fiber, cable and components for the telecommunications industry, have signed a cross-licensing agreement covering certain intellectual properties in fiber optic transceivers that both companies own. The agreement includes several issued or pending Finisar patents that apply to Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver modules, which are designed for high-speed communication applications of up to OC-48 speeds. The small size of the SFP allows designers to fit twice the number of modules in the same circuit board space. An additional peripheral interface controller provides digital diagnostics functions for remote monitoring, in addition to the built-in Serial ID information. These "smart" diagnostics and monitoring functions are being standardized by the SFF Committee under document SFF-8472, and provide calibrated, absolute real time measurements of the laser bias current, the transmitted optical power, the received optical power, and the internal transceiver temperature and supply voltage. They allow datacom and telecommunication companies to implement reliable performance monitoring in a very accurate and cost-effective way. The Finisar patents licensed to Sumitomo cover this digital diagnostics technology, as well as a sliding SFP module latching mechanism. "In the need to meet rapidly growing demand for more functions in the smaller form factor, SFP is a key technology for equipment suppliers," explains SEI's Director and General Manager of Photo-Electron Products Division, Shuzo Suzuki. "The agreement allows us both to rapidly expand our offerings to better meet the needs of our customers." In return for the digital diagnostics technology, SEI granted Finisar access to several of Sumitomo's leading patents in the optical transceiver field. Finisar Corp. Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.