Optics has exploded onto the communications scene by offering high bandwidth at low cost. In the 1980s, optical amplifiers became available that eliminated electronic repeaters, resulting in long reliable optical links. In the 1990s, WDM systems, and then DWDM systems, further lowered the cost of bandwidth by allowing multiple wavelengths to share the fiber/amplifier infrastructure of the existing long haul network. Over the coming decade, we believe wavelength multiplexed systems will expand outwards to the customer, enabling flexible consumption of bandwidth.

The primary customers for Fibera, Inc.'s products are the telecommunication and data communication transmitter users and laser providers. The transmitter providers include both fixed wavelength and tunable lasers. Decrease of channel spacing drives the requirement of more accurate wavelength control. Advanced multi-channel wavelength lockers are needed not only to provide superior wavelength control but also to simplify overall system configuration.

According to a recent study by the RHK Inc., the market for DWDM source lasers is expected to reach 1.3 million units by 2005. Below 100 GHz spacing each laser will require a wavelength locker to control its frequency. It can be easily seen that the potential usage of wavelength locker is quite large.

During this period a growing number of system vendors are to adopt tuneable laser sources. With improvement in the manufacturing processes, cost and reliability issues can be gradually brought under control; however, the inherent laser stability requires a solution comprising of an ensemble of optics, laser physics, and servo control mechanism. Fibera, Inc. intends to be a major contributor in this aspect.

The beneficiaries of the adoption of Fibera's wavelength locker not only allows better frequency stability, which results in meeting today's channel density requirement, but also for the need of denser channels in the future. The telecommunications will enjoy significantly lower sparing costs, a simplification of deployment logistics, and a reduced sensitivity to inaccurate bandwidth forecasts, resulting in large reductions of Operational Expenditures, Capital Expenditures, and Working Capital.