New High Performance Pump Fiber Laser Module Increases
Communication Systems Capacity
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- SDL, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDLI) today
announced the introduction of a new 1455 nm 1.5 W pump laser module
specifically designed to address the rapidly emerging use of advanced
optically amplified systems that utilize distributed Raman amplification for
dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems. This new product, the
SDL-RL30-1455, is being rolled out initially for undersea systems, one of
SDL's fastest growing communications markets. Customers are expected to
benefit from higher data transmission rates and lower noise which extends the
distance submarine systems can transmit.
SDL is now shipping initial production quantities of this product to a
major telecommunications company for field deployment. Other
telecommunications companies are evaluating the product. Volume shipments are
expected to increase over the next few years as SDL identifies additional uses
for this product. Future applications could include deployment in very high
bit rate (40Gb/sec) DWDM systems. In addition, Raman amplification offers the
potential of increased system data capacity by allowing amplification between
1300 and 1650 nm, thereby supporting a greater number of wavelength channels.
According to Donald R. Scifres, chairman and chief executive officer,
"This new product supports our efforts to target growing market opportunities
and leverage our technology to broaden our product offerings for
communications networks. In the development of the SDL-RL30-1455, we utilized
existing SDL expertise to rapidly introduce what we believe is a reliable,
state of the art product in this emerging market. This introduction also
continues our efforts to expand our product line to respond to the expected
growing demand for telecommunications and Internet traffic bandwidth which
distributed Raman amplification addresses."
Raman amplification differs from conventional erbium doped fiber
amplifiers (EDFAs) used in existing DWDM systems today. The new distributed
Raman amplifier utilizes installed optical transmission fiber as the
amplification medium rather than erbium doped fiber. Raman amplification
occurs in the 1550 nm wavelength band when the transmission fiber is pumped
with very high optical power at approximately 1455nm. Therefore, by using a
high-powered pump source such as the 1.5 W SDL-RL30-1455, the transmission
fiber itself will provide amplification.
SDL's products power the transmission of data, voice and Internet
information over fiber optic networks to meet the needs of telecommunications,
dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), cable television and satellite
communications applications. They enable customers to meet the bandwidth
needs of increasing Internet, data, video and voice traffic by expanding their
fiber optic communications networks much more quickly and efficiently than
would be possible using conventional electronic and optical technologies.
SDL's optical products also serve a variety of non-communications
applications, including materials processing and printing. Additional
information about SDL, Inc. is available on the Internet at http://www.sdli.com .
Statements in this press release which are not historical including
statements regarding SDL's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs,
expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future
are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include statements regarding
the growth rate of the undersea systems market, potential power, reliability
and applications for the 1455 nm 1.5 W pump laser module, the anticipated
growth in demand and shipments for this product, the benefits this product
could offer to customers, and the anticipated applications and market
opportunities for this product. It is important to note that the Company's
actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
include the company's inability to achieve expected power, reliability levels
and ranges of wavelengths in commercial production quantities, qualification
or manufacturing of the new product, lack of market acceptance, and the risk
factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports including but
not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended
January 1, 1999. and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1999.
SOURCE SDL, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.sdli.com
CONTACT:
Donald R. Scifres, Chairman and CEO, or
Michael L. Foster, VP Finance and CFO, both of SDL, Inc.,
408-943-9411; or general info, Lisa Horn Chainey, investors,
Kristi Larson, or media, Scott Marx, all of the Financial
Relations Board, 415-986-1591
NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on SDL, Inc. at no cost,
please call 800-PRO-INFO (U.S.) or 908-544-2850 (Int'l), ticker
symbol, SDLI
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