New Group to Promote Ethernet LX4

SOMERSET, N.J. -- EMCORE Corp. (NASDAQ: EMKR), MergeOptics GmbH., Opnext Inc., Quake Technologies Inc. and WaveSplitter Technologies Inc. today announced the formation of the LX4 Trade Group (LX4-TG). The LX4-TG’s mission is to promote interoperability and market awareness for the LX4 standard, which offers the ability to transmit 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) data over existing multi-mode fiber and single- mode fiber infrastructure.

LX4 products in the XENPAK form factor are readily available from multiple vendors, with X2 modules expected in the near future. Each of the 10GBase-LX4 modules from the members of the LX4-TG conform to the highly versatile multi-wavelength transmission format specified within the IEEE 802.3ae standard for 10GbE, which was ratified in June 2002.

Designed to support LAN, Access, Metro and Core applications, LX4 technology provides tremendous value to end users by significantly improving communications data rates over legacy multi-mode fiber that was originally installed to support 100 Megabit Ethernet, One Gigabit Ethernet or FDDI applications. Transmission distances are 300 meters over legacy multi-mode fiber, which is specified as a minimum modal bandwidth of 500MHz×km in the 1310nm window. LX4 modules from different vendors will interoperate, and a pluggable port format offers interchangeability via the front panel. In addition, pluggable LX4 technology enables a “Pay-as-You-Populate” cost structure during installation.

“EMCORE is excited to participate in an industry trade group focused on the LX4 standard, which offers unparalleled flexibility to transmit large volumes of data over a wide range of installed multi-mode fibers,” said Bryan Gregory, Vice President of Marketing for EMCORE's Fiber Optics Business Unit. “The LX4 Trade Group will provide market visibility to this robust and established standard, demonstrate clear multi-vendor support, and test product interoperability. Each of the member companies brings a wealth of talent and experience to this market, and we look forward to working with fellow industry leaders to promote LX4 technology.”

“LX4 is currently the only existing solution based on proven technology and guaranteed to work 100% in legacy multimode fiber applications up to and beyond 300meters. MergeOptics is excited to participate in a trade group that echoes its fundamental business philosophies by demonstrating product interoperability, and providing customers with an easy, cost efficient way to upgrade existing infrastructures to 10GbE,” said Dag Neumeuer, Founder and CEO of MergeOptics.

“LX4 is the only approved IEEE standard for supporting legacy multimode fiber applications to at least 300m and it is also the only proven technology that works and is cost effective,” said Edward Cornejo, Director of Product Marketing for Opnext. “Large OEM’s have committed to LX4 technology, which has spawned significant optical device and packaging innovations. Opnext is pleased to work with its industry colleagues to help drive market acceptable LX4 technology.”

“Customers are looking for a cost effective way to upgrade legacy MMF infrastructure to carry higher data rates, up to 10Gb/s. LX4 transceivers leverage proven technology to enable these customer requirements. As a supplier of XENPAK and X2 form factors of LX4, we are pleased to be part of the TG, to promote LX4 technology,” Steve Tsui, President of WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc.

“LX4 is the only working solution that allows for the use of the majority of installed multi-mode fiber links for 10Gb/s traffic. This is crucial for accelerating the adoption of 10GbE in data centers and corporate backbones,” said Daniel Trépanier, President and CEO of Quake Technologies. “Quake has demonstrated strong commitment to the LX4 market and will continue to do so. We look forward to working with other industry leaders to enable cost-effective 10GbE.”

Emcore Corp.

MergeOptics GmbH



Opnext Inc.Quake Technologies Inc.

WaveSplitter Technologies Inc.