FIRECOMMS
POF FOTS POWER MOLEX NEWLY REDESIGNED SMI FOR SIMPLE
OPTICAL DATA LINKS
NXTcomm 2007, Chicago, IL — June
19, 2007 — Firecomms Ltd., a leading compound
semiconductor company that develops high-speed light sources
in visible range wavelengths, today announced that its RCLED-based
650 nm Fast Ethernet and IEEE 1394 FOTs (Fiber Optic Transceivers)
are the light sources chosen by Molex Incorporated (NASDAQ:
MOLX and MOLXA) for its new plastic optical fiber data link
SMI solutions. This new interconnect system will be showcased
at NXTcomm 2007, booth 3754.
Utilizing Firecomms RCLED-based
650 nm FOT TX/RX transceivers, Molex SMI based data links
offer high speed long distance links with data speeds up
to 250 Mbps for 50 meters. The Firecomms FOTs have digitally
integrated driver circuitry to reduce PCB real estate and
are compatible with CML signaling for seamless integration
into Ethernet hubs. The FOT’s high sensitivity receiver
IC and pin-diode for one-step light to digital conversion
also allow integrated optics to efficiently focus and direct
light. Firecomms FOTS are available for Fast Ethernet, 1394
and proprietary/non-standard data links.
"The newly
redesigned SMI component system from Molex is well positioned
to support the continued growth of POF in the consumer
and industrial marketplace," said Lawrence Thorne,
vice president, sales and marketing, Firecomms. "Firecomms
is pleased to power Molex's SMI transceivers with our industry-leading
FOT products."
As a complete duplex POF solution, the
Molex SMI connector and transceiver interconnect system
is now gaining momentum as an industry standard for POF
interconnects. The optical data links have low power consumption
and are compatible with IEEE 802.3u Fast Ethernet data
communications standards, making them an attractive interface
for a variety of applications. Available in active device
transceivers, adapters, cables and field termination tooling,
this system can be employed in consumer electronic devices
such as audio, video, home networking and entertainment
equipment (IPTV). They are also wellsuited in OEM equipment
applications such as data link solutions and networking
markets, including industrial, home/office network PC and
server applications.
"By
re-tooling the SMI optical transceivers with Firecomms
industry-leading FOTs, Molex is able to continue providing
innovative technologies and designs in high speed data
connections," said Tom
Marrapode, director of marketing, Molex Incorporated. “Its
flexible mounting capabilities and reduced housing space
frees valuable PCB real estate, quickly making the SMI
POF interconnect system vital to compact POF based product
designs."
Firecomms
leads the development of devices to drive POF, a low-cost
optical alternative to copper cabling. Due to its ease
of use, large core tolerances, and low costs, POF is enjoying
a huge growth in a wide range of applications. Created
for consumer, industrial, and automotive applications in
which plastic fiber can be used more easily and at lower
cost than copper or glass fiber, POF is now used in millions
of small area networks, such as those in use in many car
models, and is rapidly gaining ground in home network and
point-to-point interconnection. The POF market is estimated
to be worth over $1 billion per year by the end of 2008.
About
Firecomms Ltd.
Firecomms, a compound semiconductor company,
develops high-speed light sources in visible range wavelengths.
Firecomms' lasers and LEDs provide the
groundwork that will revolutionize optical data communications
for small area networks, such as in-car networks and home
networks. Firecomms' low power visible lasers unleash
the potential for advances in medical devices, barcode
scanners, and optical storage devices.
The Ireland-based
company leverages its ten years of photonics research experience,
optical expertise, and extensive IP portfolio to develop
cost-effective solutions for applications in which the
use of glass fiber optics is prohibitively expensive. Additional
information about Firecomms is available at www.firecomms.com.
About Molex
Molex is a 68-year-old global manufacturer of electronic,
electrical and fiber optic interconnection systems. Based
in Lisle, Illinois, USA, the company operates 54 manufacturing
facilities in 19 countries. The Molex website is www.molex.com.
Further
Information:
Rene' Williams
Firecomms Ltd.
Tel. 949.360.7770
rene@firecomms.com |