JDSU announces key advancements in complete portfolio of tunable solutions

JDSU (NASDAQ: JDSU) (TSX: JDU) today announced key advancements as part of its strategy to offer a complete portfolio of tunable solutions in multiple form factors for use within DWDM networks.

First, JDSU has released its tunable XFP transceiver into production. Announced in March 2009, the tunable XFP transceiver is a dramatically smaller pluggable solution that network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) will implement to send and receive light within DWDM networks.

In addition, JDSU has created a next generation integrable tunable laser assembly (ITLA) that it plans to incorporate into its 300 pin transponders and also offer as a standalone product to the open market.

JDSU leveraged two key building blocks from the Tunable XFP transceiver, the tunable TOSA and ASIC, to create the new ITLA. The tunable TOSA within the ITLA has been modified into a continuous wave (CW) TOSA to accommodate a tunable laser, designed for use with an external Lithium Niobate modulator to enable high performance in Long Haul and Ultra Long Haul networks. The CW TOSA is a key component that allows JDSU to offer lower cost and lower power tunable solutions.

"The DWDM market is looking for multiple supplier solutions that provide lower cost, lower power consumption and a smaller footprint to support the carrier dilemma of single digit revenue growth but double digit traffic growth," said Daryl Inniss, vice president and practice leader of Components at Ovum. "It's great to see that JDSU has extended its tunable XFP technology to support 300 pin MSA transponders as this should help provide lower power and lower cost options to the market."

"JDSU has dedicated a great amount of time and expertise to create a complete tunable platform that is optimized for all of the flexibility required in agile optical networks," said Tom Fawcett, director of Transmission Product Marketing for the CCOP business segment at JDSU.

As consumer use of online video, voice, and data applications puts additional demand on network capacity, NEMs and service providers are under pressure to add optical solutions that can manage increased bandwidth in a flexible and cost effective way. Tunable optical transceivers and transponders act as a key interface that convert optical signals into electrical data as they enter and exit WDM networks.

The tunable XFP transceiver, next generation ITLA module and tunable TOSA will all be displayed at JDSU Booth #701 at the 2009 ECOC Conference from September 21-23, 2009 in Vienna, Austria.