SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- CoAdna Photonics, Inc., a leading supplier of dynamic modules for ROADM applications, today announced the introduction of a new Liquid Crystal-based module – Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS-1x8) which enables system providers to build flexible and intelligent optical networks cost-effectively. “The 1x8 WSS module is the first LC-based module of its kind with 9 fiber-ports that maintains low insertion loss, broad useable bandwidth, and high extinction ratio.” said Dr. Jack Kelly, VP and CTO of CoAdna. “Our 1xN WSS design also allows 1x9, 1x10 or more ports.” The 1x8 WSS will be showcased at CoAdna’s OFC/NFOEC’06 Booth #1608 at Anaheim Convention Center, CA, March 7-9, 2006.

The innovative 1x8 WSS module is based on CoAdna’s patented and Telcordia qualified LightFlow™ platform, which has no moving parts, assuring high reliability and unmatched cascadability. The module offers excellent performance with integrated functionalities of demuxing, hitless switching, power balancing, and muxing in a small footprint, remote configurability via embedded firmware/software, scalability, and extremely low power consumption. The WSS-1x8 is not only capable of independently managing power equalization and blocking of any combination of wavelengths, but also dynamically routing any wavelength(s) to any of the fiber ports as needed. The 1x8 WSS is bi-directional and can also be used as 8x1 WSS for adding, ring interconnection, and mesh applications. It is the key building block of degree-8 Wavelength Cross Connects (WXCs) for cost-effective dynamic networks.

“The WSS-1x8, along with our top selling Dynamic Channel Equalizer/Blocker (DCEB™) and 5-port WSS-1x4, will allow system vendors and service providers to build and operate cost-effective intelligent optical networks.” said Dr. Jim Yuan, CEO of CoAdna. “We are extremely pleased with the excellent performance of these products, and the high level of acceptance shown by our customers with repeated orders.”

CoAdna Photonics Inc.