SAN JOSE, Calif. -- NeoPhotonics Corporation, a leading provider of integrated planar lightwave circuits (PLC) and nanomaterials-based devices, today announces commencement of shipments of its 8 channel, 50 GHz channel spacing, "colorless" combination MUX/DEMUX arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) components. Colorless AWGs can be used interchangeably on any block of channels in the band and results in significant inventory management simplification and savings.

The new product combines an 8 channel colorless AWG multiplexer (MUX) with an independent 8 channel colorless AWG de-multiplexer (DEMUX) in a single standard size AWG package, effectively combining two components into one. In addition to the 50 percent savings in size from the combination MUX/DEMUX, the utilization of colorless AWGs means that only one MUX/DEMUX part number is required to cover all channel bands and can reduce the part numbers that must be kept in inventory by up to 90 percent.

"In today's marketplace carriers are looking for solutions that reduce both their CapEx and their OpEx costs," said Tim Jenks, chief executive officer of NeoPhotonics. "Our new combination MUX/DEMUX provides significant savings in both categories. Eight channel building blocks enable systems to be deployed efficiently block by block, achieving lowest first install coat and a 'pay as you grow' business model. Combining the MUX and DEMUX into one unit saves space and is significantly less expensive than traditional discrete filter solutions. The colorless feature results in reduced inventory and sparing costs."

"The shipment of 8 channel combination MUX/DEMUX colorless AWGs represents a major advance for PLC technology", said Ferris Lipscomb, vice president of marketing at NeoPhotonics. "Traditionally, PLC based AWGs have been considered dominant at high channel count. PLCs are now being used at 8 channels because of their superior performance and lower cost when compared to traditional discrete filters."

NeoPhotonics will soon begin shipping 8 channel colorless VOA Multiplexers, which combine 8 independent VOAs with the colorless AWG. Self-monitoring, using integrated taps and photodiodes, is being added to both products to enable remote node management. These products compliment NeoPhotonics' existing product line of 16, 32 and 40 channel AWGs, VOA multiplexers and self-monitoring (smart) VOA multiplexers, which have been shipping for the last two years. Using these technology elements, NeoPhotonics is currently developing totally integrated fixed optical add/drop modules (OADMs) and reconfigurable optical add/drop modules (ROADMs).

NeoPhotonics is a privately funded developer and manufacturer of integrated optic modules for telecom, datacom, CATV and other markets. NeoPhotonics' backers include Bay Partners, Institutional Venture Partners, CDP Capital Technology Ventures, Rockport Capital Partners, Venrock Associates, SBV Venture Partners, Hydro Quebec CapiTech, Harris & Harris Group, Dow Corning and others.

NeoPhotonics Corp.