Oclaro Achieves Key Milestone in Indium Phosphide Tunable Transmitter Development for 100G Coherent CFP2

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Oclaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLR), a tier-one provider and innovator of optical communications and laser solutions, today announced that it has achieved a key milestone towards the development of a 100G coherent CFP2 pluggable module based on a new generation of indium phosphide (InP) photonic components that can deliver the high density, low power dissipation, and reduced cost that customers need in order to drive coherent technology into next generation metro and long-haul markets.

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Being able to bring 100G coherent transmission technology into a pluggable form factor has long been considered a far-fetched target because of the challenges associated with power dissipation, performance, and size.  Oclaro's recent achievements in its proven high-volume InP technology have now put this goal within reach. As part of its development program, Oclaro was able to demonstrate that its transmitter can achieve the high electro-optic bandwidth and low power dissipation to meet the requirements of an analog coherent CFP2.

The integrated 100G transmitter is based on Oclaro's proven high-volume InP technology and replaces two discrete narrow linewidth tunable lasers (typically external cavity iTLAs), and an external Mach-Zehnder modulator with a single component that serves as both the transmitter and as the local oscillator for the coherent receiver. Combined with Oclaro's next generation InP-based micro coherent receiver and its high speed electronics expertise, the company is now in a unique position to bring a coherent CFP2 pluggable module to market.

"With this accomplishment, Oclaro has reaffirmed its leadership position in indium phosphide technology and is now in an excellent position to deliver a new generation of highly disruptive pluggable modules for coherent applications," said Jim Haynes, President of Global Business for Oclaro, Inc. "We are excited that Oclaro will enable its customers to drive the growth of coherent technology into the metro and long haul markets where higher density and lower power dissipation are critical requirements and where pluggability offers significant benefits."

Oclaro will be providing demonstration units of its InP photonic components to customers throughout 2013. The coherent CFP2 production ramp is expected for mid-2014.

Customers are invited to come see Oclaro's full line-up of products at next week's OFC/NFOEC conference on March 19-21 in Anaheim, California in the Oclaro Booth #2701.

About the coherent CFP2 Module
The development of the coherent CFP2 module represents a major step forward for the industry, offering customers significant advantages associated with density, cost and power dissipation. The CFP2 module allows customers to replace two discrete tunable lasers (iTLAs), an external Mach-Zehnder modulator and a coherent receiver with a single pluggable module that enables a pay-as-you-grow strategy where 100G channels can be provisioned as required. The integrated 100G transmitter features a narrow linewidth tunable laser co-packaged with a dual QPSK InP Mach-Zehnder modulator with two optical output fibers: one for the transmit path and one to serve as the local oscillator in the receiver. The micro coherent receiver is a highly compact device incorporating InP optical hybrids, dual balanced waveguide photo-detectors and transimpedance amplifiers (TIA's) to provide the correct electrical output.  Oclaro will be showcasing its coherent 100G technology and its complete portfolio of photonic components and modules during the OFC/NFOEC show on March 17-21 in Anaheim, California in Oclaro Booth #2701.

About Oclaro
Oclaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLR) is one of the largest providers of lasers and optical components, modules and subsystems for the optical communications, industrial, and consumer laser markets.  The company is a global leader dedicated to photonics innovation, with cutting-edge research and development (R&D) and chip fabrication facilities in the U.S., U.K., Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Korea and Japan. It has in-house and contract manufacturing sites in China, Malaysia and Thailand, with design, sales and service organizations in most of the major regions around the world. For more information, visit http://www.oclaro.com.

Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Oclaro, the Oclaro logo, and certain other Oclaro trademarks and logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Oclaro, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Information in this release is subject to change without notice.

SOURCE Oclaro, Inc.