RESTON, Va. -- Optisphere Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., is introducing Release 2.1 of its metro DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) system, a transparent 64-wavelength (32 if protected) product that can accommodate up to nine nodes on a 100 km ring. Available this spring, the metro DWDM product from Optisphere features a “universal interface” that is protocol and bit-rate independent. The transparent interface interoperates with all protocols, (e.g., SONET, ATM, IP, ESCON and Gigabit Ethernet). Using built-in transponders, the Metro DWDM product handles bit-rates ranging from 51 Mbit/s to 2.5 Gbit/s per wavelength. Its upgrade path enables the product to scale to 10 Gbit/s.

In a separate release:

Optisphere Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., today announced that it will use 3-D micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology developed by OMM Inc. for its next-generation all-optical cross-connect, the TransXpress™ Optical Service Node. Optisphere's next-generation optical cross-connect (OXC) featuring OMM 3-D MEMS technology is slated for commercial availability in early 2002.

In a separate release:

Optisphere Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., will present a full range of optical networking solutions at the Optical Fiber Communications Conference, March 19-21 in Anaheim, Calif.The company offers a portfolio of commercial products that serve the long haul and metro transport, optical routing and multiservice bandwidth aggregation markets. These products, plus several next-generation solutions in development, will be featured at the Optisphere booth (#1282) during the OFC exhibition.

“Siemens formed this company last year with a clear mission – to focus on optical networking and deliver the systems and support that meet the needs of service providers. We help carriers who are trying to manage their costs while dealing with the growing demand for bandwidth and new services,” said Jost Spielvogel, Optisphere’s CEO. “Our goal is to deliver products to our customers that meet their immediate needs, are scalable and provide a competitive life-cycle cost.”

http://www.optisphere.com