HITACHI DEMONSTRATES MULTIPLE OPTICAL SWITCHING SYSTEMS
Hitachi Telecom Inc. said it is the first company to demonstrate a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system with multiple optical switches.
The DWDM contains an all-optical switching system, developed by Calient Networks, and an optical-to-electrical-to-optical (OEO) grooming switch system, from Brightlink Networks. DWDM is a fiber-optic transmission technique that uses light wavelengths to transmit data.
Hitachi said the multiple optical switch system offers data transmission at peak levels because the multiple system automatically adjusts to meet traffic and switching needs. By using the systems together, Hitachi said carriers can reduce costs because they need less equipment, and the product can be more easily upgraded.
Marlene Bourne, a senior analyst with Cahners In-Stat Group, said Hitachi might be the first to test the multiple optical switch “in the same box,” but at least a half-dozen other companies are working on the same technology.
“It’s easy to demonstrate a device, but it’s tough to put it into practice,” she said.
PURDUE PLANS NANOTECH CENTER
Purdue University officials have hired a design firm to plan a $60 million nanotechnology research facility, according to the Journal and Courier of Lafayette, Ind.
The center will include clean rooms, biology and chemistry laboratories and a nanotechnology incubator. The building also will have a plant to make new materials, such as silicon crystals used in the semiconductor industry, the report said.
The facility will be paid for with state government funding and corporate research contracts. If the money is raised, construction will begin in June 2002, and will be completed by fall 2004.
LIGHTCONNECT RAISES $15.8 MILLION
Boosting manufacturing, market penetration and product development are the goals of LightConnect Inc., in light of securing $15.8 million in second-round financing, the company said.
The Newark, Calif.-based fiber-optic component maker received money from Incubic LLC, a venture capital firm focused on photonics and biotechnology. Other investors include the Sevin Rosen Fund, Morgenthaler Ventures, US Venture Partners, Optical Capital Group and Excelsior Venture Partners III LLC, the newly formed venture capital fund of U.S. Trust, according to LightConnect.
LightConnect designs and makes MEMS-based fiber-optic components. The company recently introduced its first two products: a Fast Variable Optical Attenuator and a Dynamic Gain Equalizer.
HONG KONG FIRM TO RAISE $5.6 MILLION IN OFFERING
GP NanoTechnology Group Ltd. of Hong Kong will offer 100 million shares next week in an effort to raise $5.6 million (U.S.) for research, development and plant expansion, according to AFX News Limited.
GP NanoTechnology, which produces precipitated calcium carbonate nanomaterial in China, is selling 100 million shares worth 10 cents (U.S.). The shares will be offered through an institutional share placement, not an initial public offering, the report said.
OPTICAL FIRMS LAUNCH JOINT PROJECT
Two optical component makers are linking devices to reduce costs and boost the quality and efficiency of data transmissions.
MetroFlex, a metro-optimized, tunable transmitter module made by Bandwidth9 will work alongside MetroCor optical fiber by Corning Inc. The companies said that tests have shown the laser and fiber maintain excellent optical signal quality over metro application distances.
Bandwidth9 and Corning said the results should improve the operation of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) networks. DWDM is a fiber-optic transmission technique that uses light wavelengths to transmit data.
The firms said they will release further test results and application design later this year.
IOLON UNVEILS NEW OPTICAL ASSEMBLY PLANT
Iolon Inc. said its new optical assembly and test facility will allow the optical networking component company to get its MEMS-based devices into the hands of its customers more quickly.
The San Jose, Calif.-based company said its new building doubles its headquarters and manufacturing space to 56,000 square feet. The space allows the company to meet the growing demand for its tunable lasers, which use MEMS actuators and micro-optical components within an optical transmission system.