MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) , a leading supplier of fiber optic communications components and systems to military and government customers, introduced a Full C-Band Tunable Transponder for commercial applications. The tunable feature of the transponder module adds wavelength selection flexibility to the current 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps) Long Range (LR) product line. Harris currently is providing evaluation samples to customers for qualification of the module and production is planned for next month.

"This new product is the result of Harris' ongoing initiative to transfer innovative technology from government to commercial markets," said Jerry Wood, program manager, Optical Solutions, Harris Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD). "The timing and introduction of this transponder are the result of significant customer input over the last year. Tunable laser component manufacturers are having to meet the cost structures necessary to make these versatile lasers viable for customer architectures. The introduction of this transponder eases the design concerns of implementing full C-band tunability into our customers' optical network systems."

The Harris transponder modules are 300 Pin MSA-compliant and meet the SONET-standard Telcordia GR-253 LR specifications. The fiber-optic transceiver within the transponder operates over a very wide, instantaneous bandwidth and offers a full feature set. Harris also is working to operate at even higher levels of dispersion tolerance than specified by Telcordia GR-253, with the goal of transmitting over distances up to 300 km at a rate of 10 Gbps. Reach distances of 300 km at transmission speeds of 10 Gbps will allow users to significantly reduce costs by eliminating hardware. Alternatively, network providers can significantly increase their service data rates by replacing their currently installed OC-48 (2.5 Gbps) equipment with new OC-192 (10 Gbps) transponders from Harris.

Harris Corp.