Raman Amplifiers from MRV Enable Ultra Long-Haul DWDM Applications

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Nasdaq:MRVC), a leading provider of products and services for WDM and optical transport, metro Ethernet, fiber optic components, 10GE, out-of-band networking and other service aware networking products, today announced the availability of new ultra long-distance optical Raman amplifier modules for its Lambda Driver^® DWDM transport platform. MRV’s Raman amplifiers improve optical signal-to noise ratio allowing improved performance of long-haul optical networks.

MRV’s EM1600-OAR family of Raman amplifiers utilizes stimulated Raman scattering to create optical gain. The new amplifiers increase the single span reach of an optical signal by more than 50 km over traditional Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA)-based alternatives by improving the optical signal-to-noise ratio in amplified long-haul networks.

MRV’s EM1600-OAR Raman amplifier family consists of three modules that offer 10dB, 12dB and 15dB of maximum optical gain over G652 fiber. The amplifiers provide flat response for the entire C-band with the optional ability to be configured to other wavelength ranges. MRV’s Raman amplifiers use different protection techniques including automatic optical shut down upon detection of fiber break or open connector. This safety feature is extremely important, given the Raman amplifier’s high-power light and power consumption.

The modules are currently in use by customers worldwide, including fast growing German regional service provider R-KOM.

“Because we use mainly 10-Gig protocols, we need the high optical signal-to-noise ratio a Raman Amplifier provides, to enable long distance connection with the minimal number of amplifier locations,” said Klaus Eckel, Chief Technical Officer for R-KOM. “We are pleased with the speed and professionalism with which MRV installed the modules and are confident that with this technology, we can leave out extra amplifier locations which will translate to significant savings.”

R-KOM is active in both the carrier and enterprise businesses. The company provides redundant high bandwidth connections for telecom providers, and serves enterprises’ fast-growing need for high-bandwidth communication with LAN-to-LAN connections across its high-speed WDM rings.

“The development of Raman optical amplifier modules marks the latest step in MRV’s mission to provide carrier-class solutions for ultra long-haul networks,” said Noam Lotan, MRV’s president and CEO. “Raman amplifiers are important tools that enable carriers to build wider-reaching WDM optical networks that enable more services and improved performance.”

About MRV'S LambdaDriver Platforms

MRV's LambdaDriver platform provides one of the most flexible WDM optical networking solutions for both enterprises and service providers looking to maximize an existing fiber infrastructure. Three different active chassis (LD400, LD800 and LD1600) and two passive chassis (LPD100 and LDP300) with interchangeable modules provide a solution for any network size and service density. Transparent transport allows support for all high-speed LAN, WAN or SAN services. Sub-rate TDM technology allows even more efficient use of the available fiber by aggregating low rate protocols over one wavelength, and amplifiers boots the services to ultra long-haul distances. The LambdaDriver platforms support both CWDM and DWDM technologies, thus enabling a cost efficient initial investment in infrastructure with CWDM and a smooth upgrade path towards full capacity DWDM networks. LambdaDriver® platforms are NEBS certified. For more information, please visit http://www.mrv.com/wdm/prod_ld.php and at http://www.mrv.com/product/MRV-LD-EM1600-OAR/ .

Pricing and Availability

EM1600-OAR Raman optical amplifier modules are available immediately. More information on LambdaDriver platform and its capabilities can be found on the MRV website at www.mrv.com.

About MRV Communications, Inc.

MRV Communications, Inc. (“MRV”) is a leading provider of network equipment and services, and optical components. MRV’s networking business provides equipment used by commercial customers, governments and telecommunications service providers, and includes switches, routers, physical layer products and out-of-band management products as well as specialized networking products for aerospace, defense and other applications including voice and cellular communication. MRV’s optical components business provides optical communications components for metropolitan, access and Fiber-to-the-Premises applications, through its wholly owned subsidiary LuminentOIC, Inc. MRV markets and sells its products worldwide through a variety of channels, including a dedicated direct sales force, manufacturers' representatives, value-added-resellers, distributors and systems integrators. MRV also has operations in Europe that provide network system design, integration and distribution services that include products manufactured by third-party vendors, as well as internally developed and manufactured products. Publicly traded since 1992, MRV is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol MRVC. For more information about MRV and its products, please call 818-773-0900 or visit our websites at www.mrv.com and www.luminentoic.com.