SOMERSET, N.J. -- Multilink Technology Corporation (Nasdaq: MLTC), a leading provider of advanced semiconductor-based solutions that accelerate the deployment of high-speed optical networks, today introduced the global availability of its first 10.7 to 12.5 Gb/s Electrical Return-to-Zero (ERZ) Modulator Driver (MDR). The MTC5534 will enable equipment manufacturers to reduce Return-to-Zero (RZ) transmission costs by significantly reducing component count and increasing the line card density in their optical networks. The Micro-ModuleTM MTC5534 is a precision low jitter (5ps p-p typical) LiNbO3 modulator driver designed for generating optical RZ signal in combination with a LiNbO3 Modulator. Traditionally, an optical RZ data stream is generated through a sequence of two stages of optical modulators and corresponding modulator drivers. This is not only very costly but also requires very complex and difficult control circuitry. The MTC5534 main advantage is that through special shaping and control of its electrical output signal, hence the term Electrical RZ, direct generation of a high quality optical RZ data stream signal can be achieved using a single modulator driver and a standard low cost, single-stage modulator. The MTC5534 thereby reduces the effort, size and cost of implementing RZ transmission on a line card to approximately that of a traditional NRZ line card. "The MTC5534 demonstrates a breakthrough in ERZ driver integration by offering an NRZ to RZ converter, output power driver, clock phase shifter, equalizer, and biasing circuitry all in a single BGA package," stated Andrew Bonthron, Multilink's Executive Director of Module Development. "Furthermore, the MTC5534 enables the simplicity of a single-ended drive LiNbO3 architecture, avoiding the complexities involved in dual-drive approaches." Multilink Technology Corp.