BREINIGSVILLE, Pa. -- Agere Systems, the former Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), today announced a fully integrated, three-dimensional (3D) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) optical switch component that will be marketed to makers of optical networking systems. It offers 64 input and 64 output ports in a small form-factor, and contains the control electronics needed to form a self-contained subsystem - permitting quick integration into optical networking system designs.

Designed to be in the core of all-optical cross connects and add/drop multiplexers, the 5200 series MEMS switch module uses a scalable, 3D architecture developed by researchers at Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs to manipulate optical signals without the need to convert the signals to electrical form. It is the first in a family of small-form-factor optical switch modules that will be offered by Agere Systems. The new small form factor package measures approximately 9" x 10" x 4".

"A major limitation in today's optical networks is the electronic switch," explained Tom Albertson, MEMS marketing manager for Agere Systems. "These switches are not typically effective at bit-rates above 10 gigabits per second and are sensitive to the transmission protocol. By keeping the signal in optical form, Agere Systems' new switch module can give systems manufacturers the ability to handle virtually any type of high-bandwidth signal in today's 10- and 40-gigabit-per-second environments."

http://www.lucent.com/micro/