SDL, Inc. Announces First Shipments of a New Product
New Device Integrates a 40-Channel Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexer And a 40-Channel
Variable Optical Attenuator Array
SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- SDL, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDLI - news) today announced the first shipments of a new device
that integrates both a 40-channel Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexer (DWDM), and a 40-channel Variable Optical
Attenuator (VOA) into a single module. Based on SDL PIRI's proprietary P-Core silica-on-silicon planar lightguide circuit
technology, the device integrates the functionality of both an Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) multiplexer and a
thermo-optic VOA. SDL PIRI is a world leader in AWG shipments.
``We believe the level of integration of this device provides unprecedented functionality in the marketplace today,'' said Donald
R. Scifres, CEO and Chairman of SDL, Inc. ``Optical networking system designers now have a powerful new component,
enabling flexible new architectures and new approaches to scalability. Of particular importance is the application of the
integrated component technology to next-generation networks, including both long-haul and metro architectures.''
The VOA array equalizes the optical signal intensity from up to 40 separate laser sources, each with a unique wavelength. The
signals are then routed to the AWG planar circuit, which performs the essential function of combining the individual laser
signals onto a single fiber. The module includes a digital control subsystem allowing individual control of per-channel
attenuation levels as well as fine control over multiplexer wavelengths. The wavelength control allows precision alignment of
the device to the industry-standard grid of DWDM wavelengths.
``We are pleased with the rapid development effort,'' says Tadashi Miyashita, SDL PIRI's General Manager, who notes that the
effort took only about four months. ``Our focused engineering team has successfully leveraged the traditional strengths of the
PIRI P-Core technology and applied it to a new device that provides a significant improvement in functionality with reduced
complexity, size and cost for our customers. We are presently ramping our shipments of this product to several customers.''
Statements in this press release which are not historical including statements regarding SDL's or management's intentions,
hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include statements regarding SDL
PIRI's leading position in AWG shipments, the company's beliefs that the level of integration provided by the new device is
unprecedented, that the new device provides a significant improvement in functionality with reduced complexity, size and cost
for its customers and will allow new architectures and new approaches to scalability, especially for next-generation networks
including both long-haul and metro architectures. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ
materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include
customer qualification or manufacturing of the new product, lack of market acceptance, alternative technologies, competitors'
products, and the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports including but not limited to, the annual
report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1999, and the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2000.
About SDL
SDL's products power the transmission of data, voice and Internet information over fiber optic networks to meet the needs of
telecommunications, dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), cable television and satellite communications
applications. They enable customers to meet the bandwidth needs of increasing Internet, data, video and voice traffic by
expanding their fiber optic communications networks much more quickly and efficiently than would be possible using
conventional electronic and optical technologies. SDL's optical products also serve a variety of non-communications
applications, including materials processing and printing. Additional information about SDL, Inc. is available on the Internet at
www.sdli.com .
You are urged to read the joint proxy statement-prospectus included in JDS Uniphase Corporation's Registration Statement on
Form S-4 in connection with the merger of JDS Uniphase and SDL, Inc. filed with the SEC because the proxy
statement-prospectus and the Registration Statement on Form S-4 contain important information. You can get copies of the
joint proxy statement- prospectus and the Registration Statement on Form S-4 and any other relevant documents, for free at the
SEC's web site, and copies of reports, proxy statement and other information regarding JDS Uniphase or SDL filed with the
SEC are available free from the companies. Requests for documents relating to SDL should be directed to SDL, Inc., 80 Rose
Orchard Way, San Jose, California 95134, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone (408) 943-4343. Requests for documents
relating to JDS Uniphase should be directed to JDS Uniphase Corporation, 210 Baypointe Parkway, San Jose, California 95134,
Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone (408) 434-1800.
SOURCE: SDL, Inc. |
