Feb 12, 2001 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A), and Mitel Corporation (NYSE: MLT; Toronto) today announced that they have signed a Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) that will set the industry standard for next-generation parallel fiber optic modules. The three companies have leveraged their wide range of experience in fiber optic and semiconductor technologies to standardize the package and optical and electrical interfaces for their respective modules to ensure that customers will have access to multiple international sources that are compatible with other components within their systems. Each of the companies expects to offer the modules in 2001.
Designed for a variety of fiber optic communications applications, the parallel fiber optic modules include transmitters and receivers featuring 12 channels at 1 - 2.7 Gbaud/channel for an aggregate bandwidth of 12 - 32.4 Gbaud. The modules are designed to meet skyrocketing demand for network capacity in proprietary terabit switch/router links as well as very short reach OC-192 and Infiniband connections.
"This agreement is a win for each of the signing companies, and for our respective customers," said Tom Fawcett, Agilent's marketing manager for Optical Systems Interconnects. "We gain the ability to drive this common package and interface specification as the industry standard for 12 channel parallel optics modules. Our customers gain flexibility and the advantages of competitive sources."
Pete Widdoes, business leader for Gore's Parallel Optic Data Links, states, "We believe our customers will find this MSA product to be very attractive. The performance specs provide for a robust link budget and the Ball Grid Array or Land Grid Array interface assures compatibility with high volume manufacturing lines. Additionally, the customers will benefit from the security of supply afforded by the combined capacity of multiple manufacturers."
"The MSA will enable our customers to quickly bring expandable terabit networking equipment to market," said Olof Svenonius, product line manager for parallel fiber optic modules at Mitel Semiconductor. "Working in concert with Agilent and Gore expands the available supply of interchangeable devices through multiple sources while providing the unbeatable benefits of cost, board space and time-to-market afforded by parallel fiber."
Performance of single-fiber and copper interconnects is limited in terms of bandwidth, density and distance. Network system manufacturers are finding that parallel fiber modules are the best and in many cases the only method of equipment interconnection. The new modules can support transmission requirements of greater than 30 Gbaud while utilizing less than two inches of board space for a Tx/Rx pair. The transmitter and receiver are compatible with an industry-standard MTP*/MPO terminated parallel fiber optic interconnect.
Product design, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of the parallel fiber optic modules will take place independently.
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. is a leader in providing high technology solutions for electronic, industrial, medical, and fabric applications. Headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore operates more than 45 facilities, has over a billion dollars in annual sales, and employs approximately 7,000 associates worldwide. Gore is well known for its unique corporate culture and is repeatedly named among the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America."
Mitel is evolving to become a global provider of semiconductors for converging voice and data networks in a rapidly evolving Internet economy. In Fiscal 2000, the company had annual revenues from semiconductor operations of $600 million and presently employs some 2,500 people worldwide in its semiconductor business.
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, diagnostics, electronics and communications. The company's 20,600 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had revenues of $6.8 billion in fiscal 2013. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com. On Sept. 19, 2013, Agilent announced plans to separate into two publicly traded companies through a tax-free spinoff of its electronic measurement business. The new company is named Keysight Technologies, Inc. The separation is expected to be completed in early November 2014.
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