Avanex Corporation (Nasdaq: AVNX), a provider of photonic processors that enable next-generation performance for optical communications networks, announced its PowerExpress Metro Bi-Directional Optical Amplifier. Avanex's newest photonic processor is designed to enable seamless connectivity within metro and access networks.

The PowerExpress Metro Amplifier has already successfully completed a field trial with a major communications carrier and successful laboratory interoperability testing with the carrier and with three major OC-192 equipment vendors.

Avanex will demonstrate the PowerExpress Metro Amplifier in a metro ring configuration during the 2001 Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) Conference and Exhibit, March 19-21, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Avanex will be in Booth #3126.

The PowerExpress Metro Amplifier supports 16x16 bi-directional transmission at OC-192, the highest bit rate in the metro market, and it allows a user to add and drop wavelengths in service without reconfiguring units.

With a single unit rack height of 1.73 inches, it features a small footprint. Power consumption typically is a low 20W, and the unit does not require an enforced cooling system. System setup is fast and operation easy, with all conventional alarms and monitors included.

An innovative build-in dispersion compensator makes it possible to interoperate with different 10Gb/s transmitter technologies. Operating at 10Gb/s, the PowerExpress Metro extends transmission distance to a maximum of 90 kilometers.

The successful field trial was conducted in a major carrier's metropolitan network with the PowerExpress Metro Amplifier carrying 2x2 bi-directional wavelength traffic live on a unidirectional path switch ring consisting of conventional non-dispersion-shifted fiber.

Interoperability testing with the international communications carrier encompassed 16x16 bi-directional transmission at OC-192 -- for a total of 320 Gb/s over both conventional single-mode fiber and new non-zero-dispersion-shifted fiber.

About Avanex:

Avanex designs, manufactures and markets photonic processors for the communications industry. For more information, visit www.avanex.com.