Tellabs reports reduced loss in second quarter on lower revenues /Vitesse offers SynchroPHY for mobile network timing

Tellabs’ (NASDAQ: TLAB) report of its second quarter 2012 performance showed progress or regression, depending on your perspective. On the negative side, the company saw revenues of $288 million, a decline from the $317 million it earned in the same quarter of 2011. However, while it suffered a GAAP net loss of $29 million (8 cents a share) in the second quarter of 2011, Tellabs said its net loss in this year’s second quarter was $5 million (1 cent per share).

Looking at things from a non-GAAP viewpoint, Tellabs actually saw net earnings of $6 million (2 cents per share) in the quarter, a marked improvement over the net loss of $14 million (4 cents per share) at the same time last year. The non-GAAP results for this year’s quarter exclude pretax charges of $6.9 million, including $5.0 million in equity-based compensation expense, $1.0 million in intangible asset amortization, and $0.9 million in restructuring and other charges.

“In the second quarter, Tellabs grew revenue sequentially by 12%, generated $32 million in cash from operations, and improved margins and profitability,” said Dan Kelly, Tellabs acting CEO and president, via a press release. “We won new business and delivered major product releases. While we see a challenging economic and industry environment ahead, our goals are to help customers succeed and to improve Tellabs’ profitability.”

Tellabs’ GAAP gross profit margin was 39.6% in the second quarter of 2012, up from 36.4% in the year-ago quarter.

The company also announced that it would reorganize its performance statements around new business segments that would reflect its new emphasis on packet-optical network and mobile backhaul applications. The new segments are:

    Optical: This segment includes the Tellabs 7000 series of optical transport systems, as well as the Tellabs 5000 and 6300 series of transport systems equipped with optical interfaces.
    Data: This segment includes systems targeted at mobile backhaul, as well as provision of business services and edge routing applications. Products include the packet-switched Tellabs 8600 Managed Edge System, the Tellabs 8800 Multiservice Router Series, and Tellabs 9200 Content-Aware Router Series, as well as the Tellabs 8100 Managed Access System.
    Access: These products include those aimed at fiber to the home (FTTH) and optical LAN applications. The segment comprises the Tellabs 1000 and 1100 Multi-service Access systems and the Tellabs 1600 Optical Network Terminals.
    Services: This segment includes network planning, building, and operations services for deployment, support, training, and other professional services in support of the other segments.

For the recently completed quarter, the Optical segment generated $122 million in revenue, the Data segment $78 million, the Access segment $37 million, and the Services segment $51 million.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, the company expects revenues in the range of $260 million to $290 million. The ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties in Europe and other parts of the world were cited for the conservative guidance, which also included non-GAAP gross margin of around 40%.

Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ: VTSS) has introduced its SynchroPHY family of 1 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), 10GbE, and 10GbE Optical Transport Network (OTN) PHYs. The chips leverage Vitesse’s VeriTime technology to support timing requirements in Ethernet, microwave, and OTN applications, including mobile backhaul.

The family includes:

    VSC8572/VSC8574 Dual/Quad GbE PHYs
    VSC8487-15/VSC8488-15 Single/Dual 10GbE PHYs
    VSC8492/VSC8494 Dual/Quad Universal (10GbE or OTN) or 10GbE-only PHYs

The VeriTime technology offers the most accurate implementation of the IEEE1588v2 timing protocol in the industry, Vitesse asserts. The company has reported better than 3-ns per hop accuracy over a nine-hop IEEE1588v2 Transparent Clock (TC) network. Such performance makes VeriTime-enabled devices the only ones to fulfill TD-LTE and LTE-Advanced requirements in real-world tests, Vitesse claims.

In addition to new designs, Vitesse is targeting system upgrades, in which designers would improve the timing accuracy of their systems by replacing existing PHYs with SynchroPHY devices.

“Our SynchroPHY family enables sub-10-ns accurate timing through a simple upgrade of PHYs in existing routers and switches,” said Richard Interrante, product marketing director at Vitesse. “With Vitesse’s unique architectural approach, VeriTime-enabled solutions achieve the in-line speed and scalability crucial to the functionality of 4G service provider networks.”

Finisar demos 120-Gbps CXP to QSFP active breakout cable at SuperComputing 2009/Luxtera and Siemon collaborate on active optical cabling for high-performance data centers

NOVEMBER 17, 2009 -- Finisar is holding the first public demonstration of a 120-Gbps CXP-to-QSFP active breakout cable at the SuperComputing 2009 (SC09) exhibition. The active optical cable contains a single CXP transceiver at one end and three 40-Gbps QSFP transceivers at the other end to provide flexibility in high performance computing and network infrastructure environments.
Finisar asserts that a significant benefit of this multi-connector cable is that it provides high-density switches with connectivity to multiple top-of-rack switches and/or server nodes. Compliant with both CXP and QSFP specifications, this breakout cable provides a hot-pluggable, low power, low-weight, and flexible option for high port-count network topologies, the company says.
During SC09, Finisar will also demonstrate a new QSFP to Laserwire adapter. Laserwire is Finisar’s active cable line, which includes a proprietary connector. The adapter is designed to drive the convergence of multiple connector form factors in data center applications. It will enable system manufacturers to design a single PCB layout for both 10G and 40G applications, the company concludes.

FEBRUARY 1, 2010 -- Luxtera, provider of  Silicon CMOS Photonics, is collaborating with Siemon, a global manufacturer of IT cabling infrastructure systems. Based on Luxtera’s 40Gbp/s single-mode fiber transceivers, Siemon introduces its Moray Active Optical Cabling (AOC) product family.
Siemon’s Moray AOC launch expands Siemon’s portfolio of copper and fiber data center solutions. By collaborating with Luxtera, Siemon enables its customers to work with a single data center solutions provider to achieve high-performance and extended-reach optical interconnect at lower cost than legacy multimode fiber.
Siemon selected Luxtera for its ability to utilize Silicon CMOS Photonics technology and high-performance, low-cost, single-mode fiber. The CMOS Photonics use an integrated opto-electronic chip with a directly attached fiber and a micro-packaged laser.
This “Fiber-to-the-Chip” technology enables Siemon’s Moray active optical cabling to break the cost barriers and distance restrictions associated with existing vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and multi-mode fiber solutions, according to a representative. Unlike traditional optics that use VCSELs and multi-mode fiber for short connections, Luxtera’s Silicon CMOS Photonics-based single chip transceivers support any distance from one meter to 4,000 meters for inter- and intra-building connections while decreasing the number of components in the AOC and improving its reliability.
“By collaborating with Siemon, we can deliver to customers a complete data center infrastructure that includes our high performance, low cost transceiver technology,” says Marek Tlalka, vice president of marketing for Luxtera. “Using silicon photonics transceiver technology along with single-mode fiber transmission media, Siemon is able to offer a cost-effective cable that delivers high-performance connectivity as well as increased reliability and extended distance.”
Siemon’s first AOC offering is four lane QSFP 40G active optical cabling family that supports Ethernet Switch, FiberChannel SAN Storage, InfiniBand Server systems, and other I/O interface links between various blades, boxes, racks, containers, and buildings.

OE Solutions CWDM bi-directional pluggable modules target CPRI and OBSAI/Finisar unveils multi-rate serial 40-Gbps CFP-FR optical module, other products, at ECOC

OE Solutions Co. Ltd. has announced the production of single-fiber bi-directional SFP optical transceivers for CPRI and OBSAI standards with CWDM wavelengths. For the OBSAI application, the rates are 6.144, 3.072, 1.536, and 0.768 Gbps. For the CPRI application, the rates are 6.144, 3.072, 2.4576, 1.2288, and 0.6144 Gbps.

CPRI is the Common Public Radio Interface, which specifies the internal interface of radio base stations between the radio equipment control and the radio equipment. OBSAI is the Open Base Station Architecture Initiative.

The SFP optical transceivers can operate at all the CPRI and OBSAI data rates up to 6.144 Gbps within industrial temperature ranges, OE Solutions asserts. OE also offers the option of selecting a single-wavelength approach.

According to John Kwak, director of business development at OE Solutions, “Customers can now fully realize the cost and design benefits of utilizing CWDM wavelengths in a single-fiber solution. Having a single-wavelength option, customers can deploy a single-fiber bi-directional link with only one CWDM wavelength and double the number of links.”

Finisar Corp. (NASDAQ: FNSR) is using ECOC as a springboard to launch several new products, including what the company asserts is the first CFP-FR module that offers error-free operation at 40 Gbps. Other new products making their debut at ECOC include an 80-km SFP+ optical transceiver module and a GPON version of its “PON on a stick” product, an outgrowth of its acquisition of Broadway Networks in September of last year (see "Finisar acquires PON transceiver vendor Broadway Networks").

Designed for 40-Gbps client-side network applications, the CFP-FR module has an MSA pluggable form factor and power consumption below 8 W. In addition to supporting 40GBase-FR operation, it also will support SONET OC-768 and OUT-3, say Finisar sources. Finisar will use EXFO's FTB-8140 Transport Blazer to demonstrate its performance quality. The company will also demonstrate interoperability with a 300-PIN module. The CFP-FR is also plug-in compatible with SR4 and LR4 CFP modules, the company adds.

Meanwhile, the 10-Gbps DWDM 80-km SFP+ optical transceiver module is positioned as an alternative to DWDM XFP transceivers. It offers the same performance as XFP modules with lower power consumption and a smaller footprint, Finisar says. The SFP+ transceiver features internal dual CDRs for enhanced jitter performance, limiting electrical interface APD receiver, and an XFI-compliant interface.

Finally, the new “GPON Stick” offers the functionality of a standard GPON ONT within an SFP transceiver package. This enables switches, routers, and similar CPE to be connected to GPONs for fiber-to-the-business and wireless backhaul applications. The device is not being demonstrated at ECOC, and company sources declined to say when the product would reach general availability.

NeoPhotonics adds 40-km, 80-km SFP+ optical transceivers /MEL plans mechanically locked tunable SFP optical transceiver

NeoPhotonics Corp. (NYSE: NPTN) has added longer-reach SFP+ transceivers to its line of modules that meet 40-km (ER) and 80-km (ZR) reach requirements and support various communication protocols. The new SFP+ optical transceiver modules complement NeoPhotonics existing 6-Gbps SFP+ transceivers for Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) and 10-Gbps SFP+ modules for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and OC-192/STM-64 SONET/SDH transport.

SFP+ transceivers without integrated CDR are designed to support 10-Gigabit Ethernet transport and comply with IEEE 802.3-2005 and 802.3-2008. Versions with an integrated CDR support OC-192/STM-64 SONET/SDH and comply with the ITU-T Recommendation G.709 for Optical Transport Network (OTN) at the OTU2 line rate.

All of the company’s transceivers are designed to meet Telcordia GR-468 CORE qualification requirements and cover the extended operating temperature range of -5 to +85ºC (E-Temp), NeoPhotonics asserts. Both RoHS5 and RoHS6 versions are available as well. The SFP+ ER and ZR transceivers are available in sample quantities.


MEL, a startup founded in 2009, announced plans for a low-power, tunable DWDM SFP transceiver (TRx) that will leverage its patent-protected chirped fiber Bragg grating and its athermal structure technology. The transceiver, which MEL has dubbed MLT (for “Mechanically Locked Tunable”), will consume half the power of existing EML-based transceivers and one third of the new tunable transceivers, the company asserts.

The company did not say when the MLT optical transceiver would be available.

The transceiver will offer a tuning range of 40 wavelengths with 100-GHz spacing over the C- or L-Band. Technicians will tune the MLT SFP transceiver by typing in a wavelength number on the panel of an electro-mechanic tuner. Although the wavelength is mechanically locked for the end of transceiver life, if necessary, the wavelength can be re-tuned at different wavelengths repeatedly.

According to Dr. B.W. Kim, the CEO of MEL, "Today's tunable transceivers are the products of lab engineers who had a fixation of changing wavelengths as many [times] as possible, but in reality and practice, you need to seldom change wavelength while in operation for broadband data transport and access networks."

MEL will display the MLT SFP transceiver TOSA, without the actual tuner, at the forthcoming ECOC in Geneva, September 19-21.

Avago 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel transceiver now in production /MEL plans mechanically locked tunable SFP optical transceiver

Avago Technologies (Nasdaq:AVGO) says its new AFBR-57F5PZ SFP+ transceivers for 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel applications have reached production status. The transceivers support industry-standard signaling rates up to 14.025 GBd.

Avago expects the modules to find application in switches, routers, host bus adapters, RAID controllers, tape drives, and video switching, as well as inter-switch and inter-chassis aggregated links.

While the AFBR-57F5PZ SFP+ transceiver offers twice the capacity of 8 Gigabit Fibre Channel devices, it operates at “essentially” the same power level, Avago asserts. The SFP+ module’s transmitter and receiver can operate at different data rates, as is often required during Fibre Channel speed negotiation. The module maintains compatibility with legacy 8 Gigabit and 4 Gigabit Fibre Channel devices as well, Avago says.

Avago also touts the following additional features:

    Operating temperature range of 0° to 70° C and supply voltage of 3.3 V ± 5%
    Lead-free and RoHS-compliant
    Digital diagnostic features per SFF-8472
    LC Duplex optical connector interface conforming to ANSI TIA/EIA604-10 (FOCIS 10A)
    Enhanced EMI performance for high port density applications.

The AFBR-57F5PZ transceiver incorporates Avago’s 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and PIN detector technology. This combination ensures that the multi-rate SFP+ module is compliant with FC-PI-5 and 16G/8G/4G Fibre Channel specifications, the company states. The module will respond to both rate select pin and control bit inputs, which simplifies Fibre Channel host auto-negotiation algorithms, layout, and software, Avago adds.

The AFBR-57F5PZ 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel transceiver is priced at $215.35 each in 100-piece quantities. Samples and production quantities are available now through the Avago direct sales channel and via worldwide distribution partners.


MEL, a startup founded in 2009, announced plans for a low-power, tunable DWDM SFP transceiver (TRx) that will leverage its patent-protected chirped fiber Bragg grating and its athermal structure technology. The transceiver, which MEL has dubbed MLT (for “Mechanically Locked Tunable”), will consume half the power of existing EML-based transceivers and one third of the new tunable transceivers, the company asserts.

The company did not say when the MLT optical transceiver would be available.

The transceiver will offer a tuning range of 40 wavelengths with 100-GHz spacing over the C- or L-Band. Technicians will tune the MLT SFP transceiver by typing in a wavelength number on the panel of an electro-mechanic tuner. Although the wavelength is mechanically locked for the end of transceiver life, if necessary, the wavelength can be re-tuned at different wavelengths repeatedly.

According to Dr. B.W. Kim, the CEO of MEL, "Today's tunable transceivers are the products of lab engineers who had a fixation of changing wavelengths as many [times] as possible, but in reality and practice, you need to seldom change wavelength while in operation for broadband data transport and access networks."

MEL will display the MLT SFP transceiver TOSA, without the actual tuner, at the forthcoming ECOC in Geneva, September 19-21.