Bromont Quebec, November 17, 2010- DALSA Semiconductor, a division of DALSA Corporation (TSX:DSA) and the world’s leading independent MEMS foundry, is pleased to announce qualification of a new generation of optical MEMS products for optical communications leader JDSU.
This initiative marks the beginning of a significant new chapter in the two companies’ ongoing business relationship. These new high reliability optical MEMS devices play a critical role in the ongoing major manufacturing capacity expansion activity for JDSU’s Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) products. ROADMs are a key building block for the next generation of agile optical networks, which vastly improve the performance of the optical fiber networks on which today’s telecommunications and internet traffic depend.
''We are happy to report that after an intense qualification period, DALSA and JDSU are moving to expand production of this latest generation of MEMS based products for the optical communication market. We anticipate a long, successful and strategic business relationship,'' commented Claude Jean, Executive Vice President and General Manager of DALSA Semiconductor.
The MEMS-based wavelength-selective switches (WSS) DALSA produces for JDSU are used in several different applications within wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems, which join light signals together (and later split them apart) for efficient high-bandwidth transmission over fiber optic communications networks. WDM systems can boost a single mode fiber’s carrying capacity by as much as 100 times. JDSU’s ROADMs provide the flexibility to remotely add, drop, and reconfigure any or all wavelengths, reducing time-to-service, simplifying the network and streamlining planning and management.
DALSA’s strong technology portfolio in MEMS design support, fabrication and testing were key in bringing the performance potential of JDSU’s latest designs into reality. But beyond technology, the success of the project was made possible by the close collaboration between JDSU and DALSA’s engineering teams, building on the companies’ existing long-term relationship.
“DALSA is a key vendor for JDSU across our market leading WSS portfolio” said Craig Cocchi, Vice President of Operations for JDSU. “Their high-performing MEMS technology is helping us to rapidly ramp throughput for our leading range of ROADM products.”
About DALSA
DALSA (TSX: DSA) is an international leader in high performance digital imaging and semiconductors with approximately 1000 employees worldwide, headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1980, the company designs, develops, manufactures and markets digital imaging products and solutions, in addition to providing semiconductor products and services. For more information, visit
www.dalsa.com
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Myles
Vice President, Corporate Communications
DALSA Corporation
Tel: (519) 886-6001 Ext. 2177
