Agere Systems chosen as Raman pump module supplier for Lucent Technologies' Lambdaxtreme Transport optical system

Agere Systems, a manufacturer of communications components, announced its selection as a major supplier of Raman pump modules by Lucent Technologies for Lucent's LambdaXtreme Transport DWDM system. Agere's Raman pump modules enable higher bit-rate transmissions, longer span lengths, reduced noise contribution, and higher channel counts in long-haul optical networking systems.

Raman is an optical amplification technique, originally developed at Lucent's Bell Labs, that can boost the strength of very high-speed communications signals traveling through optical fiber more effectively than other amplification techniques, thereby allowing longer distances between amplifying devices.

"Agere's modules will be an important component in the Lucent LambdaXtreme Transport system for enabling reliable transmissions at 10 and 40 Gbits/sec," said Frank Galuppo, vice president for optical long-haul solutions at Lucent. "Agere's Raman pump modules meet Lucent's stringent technical requirements for high-speed data transport."

Lucent's LambdaXtreme Transport is a next-generation core transport solution offering one common platform for long-haul, ultra long-haul and ultra high-capacity optical transport. This platform uses the same optical amplification and common end-terminal equipment for both 10 and 40 Gbits/sec-based transport, thereby supporting lower operating costs by providing common hardware and software across multiple application spaces. In March 2002, Lucent announced general availability of the system to the market.

Agere's history and expertise in developing 14xx indium-phosphide laser products provide the foundation for its integrated Raman pump modules, which also include Agere-developed passive components. These devices improve on erbium-doped fiber amplifier performance by reducing the noise figure, offering a flexible gain profile and enhancing gain flatness. This pump module platform is ideally suited for use in regional and ultra long-haul, high-speed DWDM applications.

For more product information about Agere System (Allentown, PA), visit the company's website at www.agere.com. Customers in the United States may contact the Agere Systems customer response center at 1-800-372-2447 (in Canada, call 1-800-553-2448; outside of the U.S./Canada, call 1-610-712-4323). Written inquiries may be faxed to 1-610-712-4106 or sent to Agere Systems, Room 30L-15PBA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18109, USA.