Lightbit Introduces and Demonstrates its WaveXchange 2R Optical Regenerator at OFC

Lightbit is introducing an innovative product that uses pure-optical processor technology to dramatically reduce the cost of deploying dense wave division multiplexing systems for telecommunications carriers and system makers. Lightbit's regenerator product can process several DWDM channels via a single chip, realizing a significant leap in efficiency over single-channel systems. A digital photo of the product is available.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- March 25, 2003 -- Lightbit Corporation today introduced its WaveXchange Optical 2R Regenerator, which will dramatically reduce the cost of deploying 10Gb/s DWDM systems, particularly over legacy fiber. The product is being demonstrated at OFC 2003 in Atlanta, at booth 3143.

The WaveXchange, based on Lightbits proprietary pure-optical processor chip, processes multiple DWDM channels on a single chip. Device cost is divided by channel count, resulting in significant per-channel cost reduction over single-channel OEO regenerators. Further, the WaveXchange lowers system cost by attacking three fundamental cost centers in DWDM transport systems.

First, the WaveXchange increases reach by improving optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), which reduces the need for 3R OEO regenerators, the most expensive network element in DWDM transport systems. Second, systems which integrate the WaveXchange can utilize simpler and less expensive single-stage EDFAs, further improving reach and OSNR. Third, the WaveXchange reshapes the data pulses, eliminating dispersion compensating fiber (DCF) from the system. It thus removes the loss, OSNR degradation and the non-linear signal impairments caused by DCF.

The WaveXchange enables system vendors to supply 10G transport at less than half the cost of current systems because it allows minimal change in carriers' existing 2.5G transport equipment," says Larry Marshall, Lightbit CEO. Stretching the distance between, and in many cases actually eliminating, OEO regenerators is the major benefit of Lightbits optical processor technology. With the incumbent carriers operating almost exclusively OC-48 systems, we expect the WaveXchange to become a key element in their coming 10G overlay."

The WaveXchange operates with any fiber type, and removes up to 80 dB of loss from a DWDM link. It reshapes data pulses, and suppresses distortion and non-linear impairments caused by four-wave mixing and self-phase and cross-phase modulation.

"Multichannel optical regeneration is a hard-won technological milestone," said Scott Clavenna, president of PointEast Research. Implemented across multiple optical channels on a single chip, it addresses the immediate need of carriers to deploy 10G transport systems using less equipment at fundamentally lower cost."

The WaveXchange operates independently of bit rate and protocol, offering future cost savings on sparing, network management, and upgrades to higher transmission rates. This further reduces costs associated with 10Gb/s system deployments.

Lightbit is a privately held company based in Mountain View, California, backed by tier one venture capital firms Mayfield and Accel Partners. Lightbit designs, markets and manufactures optical subsystems based on its unique, pure-optical processor chip, for applications in optical telecommunications networks and other markets. For more information regarding Lightbit or Lightbit products, please contact Gabriel Kra at (650) 988-9500 ext 712, or Gabriel@lightbit.com.