- Demonstrates high-speed operation by integrating light source and
optical modulator on the same silicon chip using structure that
obviates need for thermal control mechanism -
Kawasaki, Japan, August 31, 2012 - Fujitsu Laboratories Limited
today announced the development of an integrated silicon optical
transmitter for use in an optical transceiver(1), which is essential
for enabling large volumes of data to be transmitted between CPUs.
Thermal fluctuations from the heat emitted by CPUs have a large
impact on both the light source built into optical transmitters
located near CPUs and the optical modulators(2) that encode data
into the light emitted from the light source. This means a thermal
control mechanism has been required to ensure that the operating
wavelengths of both the light source and optical modulator
consistently match. Fujitsu Laboratories previously devised a
structure incorporating both the light source and optical modulator
that did not require thermal control and demonstrated identical
thermal properties by using separate prototypes of the light source
and the optical modulator. This time, using the same structure to
make a prototype optical transmitter that integrates the light source
and optical modulator on the same silicon chip, Fujitsu Laboratories
demonstrated that it could achieve optical modulation signals at
speeds of 10 Gbps at temperatures ranging from 25 degrees celsius to
60 degrees celsius without a thermal control mechanism. Moreover,
the overall electricity consumed by the optical transmitter was
reduced by roughly half compared to previous methods.
This technology enables compact, low-power optical transceivers
to be mounted directly in CPU packaging. Through its application
exaflops-class supercomputers(3) and high-end servers requiring
high-speed transmission of large volumes of data, the technology
paves the way for super-high-speed computers.
<Background>
In recent years, supercomputer performance has been roughly
doubling every 18 months. Right now, work is underway to produce
exaflops-class supercomputers with a target date around 2020. The
creation of these ultrafast computers will require high-volume data
transmission technology that allows individual CPUs to transfer data
to each other at tens of terabits per second. With existing
electrical interconnects based on copper wire, however, the dramatic
increases required in circuit space, number of transmission lines,
and electricity consumption in accordance with the higher data volumes
are thought to make it difficult to achieve the data transmission
speeds needed for exaflops-class supercomputers. As a result,
consideration is being given to the use of optical interconnect
technology in which, as shown in figure 1, CPUs are connected using
light. Recently, in particular, attention is being focused on the
development of silicon photonics(4) technology enabling optical
transceivers to be compact and densely integrated, and that enables
integration of electrical and optical components.
<Technological Issues>
The transmitter component of an optical transceiver comprises a
light source and an optical modulator that encodes data into the light
emitted by the light source. A good candidate for the optical modulator
is a ring resonator(5), as it is compact and energy efficient. But
because the optical transceiver is located near the CPU, the lasing
wavelength and the operating wavelength of the ring-resonator-based
optical modulator do not coincide with each other due to heat from the
CPU, resulting in information not being encoded in the light. A
thermal control mechanism is needed to ensure that they match exactly,
which, however, is an obstacle to making the transceiver compact and
energy efficient.
<Resolution Approach>
By using the same ring resonator for both the wavelength control unit
of the light source and the optical modulator, Fujitsu Laboratories
previously devised a structure that made the wavelengths of the light
source and optical modulator identical without the need for a thermal
control mechanism. It used this structure to build separate prototypes
of the light source and optical modulator, and it previously
demonstrated that their thermal properties were identical.
<Newly Developed Technology>
This time Fujitsu Laboratories made a prototype optical transmitter
that integrates on the same silicon chip a light source and optical
modulator employing the previously devised structure. Using this
transmitter, it demonstrated that it could make the wavelengths of
the light source and optical modulator identical without the need
for a thermal control mechanism and could achieve optical modulation
signals at speeds of 10 Gbps at temperatures ranging from 25 degrees
celsius to 60 degrees celsius.
Figure 2 depicts the prototype silicon optical transmitter that
integrates the light source and optical modulator. To enable shifts
in the wavelengths caused by temperature changes to match, the same
ring resonator is used for both the wavelength control unit of the
light source and the optical modulator. Moreover, to safeguard
operation even if there are slight differences in the wavelengths of
the light source and optical modulator, the optical modulator is
structured with an alignment of multiple ring resonators, increasing
the operating wavelength range. Using this structure, there is no
need for a thermal control mechanism, and the overall electricity
consumed by the optical transmitter was reduced by roughly half
compared to previous methods. It is compact, measuring roughly only
2 mm long without the semiconductor optical amplifier. Through
optimization using the silicon wire optical waveguide structure(6),
it is expected that in the future the size can be reduced to under
1 mm.
Figure 3 depicts the optical modulation signals measured at speeds
of 10 Gbps at varying temperatures. When varying the temperature from
25 degrees celsius to 60 degrees celsius, the spectrum's peak wavelength
moves to the long-wavelength side, but a stable modulation signal is
derived without controlling the wavelengths.
By further increasing the speed of this optical transmitter and
integrating multiple transmitters on one chip using wavelength
multiplexing technology, it will be possible to create optical transmitters
small enough to be embedded into CPU modules capable of transmitting
large volumes of data at rates of several terabits per second.
<Results>
The use of this technology enables the development of exaflops-class
supercomputers and high-end servers requiring energy efficient
transmission of large volumes of data between CPUs, thereby paving the
way for super-high-speed computers.
<Future Plans>
Fujitsu Laboratories plans to continue development of the optical
receiver using the same silicon photonics technology, and will integrate
it and this new transmitter to create a compact optical transceiver.
Moreover, by applying wavelength multiplexing technology and pursuing
dense integration, it will work on developing large-capacity integrated
optical interconnects capable of enabling data transmission speeds of
tens of terabits per second.
<Glossary and Notes>
1 Optical transceiver:
A module that converts an electrical signal to an optical signal, which
it then transmits, and that also receives an optical signal and converts
to an electrical signal.
2 Optical modulator:
An optical component that converts electrical signals to optical
signals. These include intensity modulators that convert to an
optical-intensity signal and phase modulators that convert to light-phase
signals.
3 Exaflops-class supercomputer:
A supercomputer that can process 10 to the18th "FLoating-point number
Operations Per Second."
4 Silicon photonics:
Technology in which a photonic device is configured on a silicon
substrate. By using silicon, the optical circuits can be made smaller,
enabling dense integration. It also has other merits, such as the
ability to configure optical circuits and electrical circuits in one
unit, and lower manufacturing costs.
5 Ring resonator:
A resonator made of a ring-type optical waveguide. When used in
silicon photonics, this can be made extremely small, with a radius on
the order of microns. The ring's resonance effect makes it possible to
create a highly efficient optical modulator.
6 Silicon wire optical waveguide structure:
An extremely small silicon optical waveguide, in which the height and
width of the cross-sectional surface is less than 1 micrometer.
<About Fujitsu>
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT)
company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services.
Over 170,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We
use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with
our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of
4.5 trillion yen (US$55 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.
<About Fujitsu Laboratories>
Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited,
Fujitsu Laboratories Limited is one of the premier research centers in the
world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States
and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied
research in the areas of Next-generation Services, Computer Servers, Networks,
Electronic Devices and Advanced Materials. For more information,
please see: http://jp.fujitsu.com/labs/en.
<Press Contacts>
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
Inquiries: https://www-s.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/inquiries/index.html
<Technical Contacts>
Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Next-Generation Manufacturing Technologies Research Center
E-mail: si-photonics-2@ml.labs.fujitsu.com
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
MRV Announces Conclusion of Exploration of Strategic Alternatives
| Aug 10, 2012 (Marketwire via COMTEX) --MRV Communications, Inc. ( MRV has determined to divest its Network Integration businesses and retain, build and invest in its core Optical Communications Systems ("OCS") business. The long-term growth prospects for the optical transport and carrier Ethernet markets reinforce MRV's decision to build its OCS business. MRV's OCS products are well positioned in the marketplace and are known for their rich feature set, for their ability to improve the efficiency of their customers' networks, and for the industry-leading bandwidth to power consumption ratio of its products. "After a careful and thorough review of our businesses and the markets we serve, the management team and Board of Directors determined that the best course of action for MRV is to pursue divestiture of our Network Integration subsidiaries in Europe and retain and expand our OCS business," said Barry Gorsun, chief executive officer of MRV. "During our strategic review process, it became very apparent that there is real value in the OCS technology platform and that we are well positioned in the optical transport and carrier Ethernet markets and specifically in the rapidly growing mobile backhaul data center and cloud computing verticals. We believe that we could best serve our stockholders and customers by leveraging these strengths to deliver innovative new products to the high growth segments of our markets. This decision was reinforced by a top tier service provider who recently selected MRV's OptiSwitch® and ProVision® solutions for an international metro-Ethernet deployment. In fact, we have already started shipping against this contract." Gorsun continued, "Rising demand for bandwidth intensive applications, mobility and cloud computing are the catalysts forcing carriers to upgrade their infrastructure to next-generation networks. Recent market data estimates that the subsets of these markets that MRV addresses are poised for solid long-term growth, despite the current challenging macroeconomic spending environment. Service providers around the globe have come to expect best-in-class products and services from MRV and we intend to build upon this tradition to drive growth and increase our market share over the long term." For over 20 years, MRV has been providing innovative and award winning solutions to the market. MRV's OCS division is an end-to-end provider of optical communications network infrastructure equipment that facilitates access, transport, aggregation and management of voice, data and video traffic in networks, data centers and laboratories used by telecommunications service providers, cable operators, enterprise customers and governments worldwide. MRV's OCS division serves the optical transport and carrier Ethernet markets for telecommunications service providers and large enterprises around the globe from the edge to the core of the network. Infonetics Research, Inc. forecasts that the optical transport and carrier Ethernet markets will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12 percent and 6 percent, respectively, through 2016. These markets are being driven by the proliferation of network traffic due to the increase in 4G mobile network upgrades, cloud computing, data center services, business services, wholesale exchanges, and the systematic conversion to packet-based networks as operators attempt to fill the ever-increasing demand for bandwidth and complex services. MRV's award winning product families include the OptiSwitch carrier Ethernet, FiberDriver® and LambdaDriver® optical transport, ProVision element management system and MCC and LX infrastructure management solutions. As set forth in MRV's preliminary proxy statement filed on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on August 9, 2012, the Company is seeking stockholder approval for two transactions in the Company's Network Integration business. The Company has entered into a sale purchase agreement for the sale of its French subsidiary, Interdata, and it has entered into a letter of intent which anticipates a potential sale of its Swedish subsidiary, Alcadon-MRV AB. MRV has also retained the investment bank Headwaters BD, LLC, to evaluate and explore strategic alternatives for its Italian subsidiary, Tecnonet S.p.A. A detailed discussion of MRV's proposed sale of Interdata and Alcadon can be found in its preliminary proxy statement on file with the SEC. About MRV Communications, Inc. MRV Communications, Inc. is a leading global provider of carrier Ethernet, wavelength division multiplexing optical transport, infrastructure management equipment and solutions, as well as network integration and managed services. MRV's solutions enable the delivery and provisioning of next-generation optical transport and carrier Ethernet services over any fiber infrastructure. MRV provides equipment and services worldwide to telecommunications service providers, enterprises, and governments, enabling network evolution and increasing efficiency, while reducing complexity and costs. Through its subsidiaries, MRV operates development centers in North America and Europe, along with support centers and sales offices around the world. For more information about MRV, visit http://www.mrv.com. |
Handheld Fiber Optic OTDR Performs well in Harsh Environments
This handheld fiber optic OTDR is specially designed for fiber network construction and maintenance in FTTx, WAN and CATV systems.
Toronto, Canada – GAO Tek Inc. is offering its portable handheld fiber optic OTDR. This innovative test instrument for telecommunication networks is specially designed for fiber network construction and maintenance in FTTx, WAN and CATV systems.
This handheld fiber optic OTDR, model C0250001, features a compact size, easy operation, high dynamic range and highly precise measurement. It can be used in both single mode (1310/1550 nm) and multi mode (850/1300 nm) fiber applications. The unique hot key design makes it convenient and quick to conduct measurements and review and analyze test results. It is complete with adaptors for connection to different fiber types. It is also resistant to dust, moisture and shock, which allows it to perform well even in harsh environments.
This fiber optic OTDR provides a wavelength of 1310/1550 nm ± 20 nm for single mode fiber and 850/1300 nm ± 20 nm for multi mode fiber. The event dead zone for single mode fiber is only 3 m and for multi mode fiber is 7 m. It has a large memory capacity allowing it to save up to 300 test curves and can transfer them to a computer via RS-232 or USB port for further analysis, reporting and printing via included software. In addition, it is powered by Ni-MH rechargeable battery or AC adapter for over 3.5 hours of continuous testing operation on a single charge.
This handheld fiber optic OTDR belongs to GAO’s family of OTDRs. Two other products in this line are Multi-function Optical Time Domain Reflectometer which is used for testing in a variety of fiber optic applications including WDM, MAN, FTTH and LAN networks, and Handheld Fiber Optic OTDR which features an extra-short event dead zone of only 1.6 m, a high resolution of 0.125 m, 65 k sampling points and a convenient visible fault location (VFL) function.
About GAO Tek Inc.
GAO Tek Inc. specializes in researching, developing, manufacturing and selling top quality and cost effective telecom testers, electrical testers, embedded development tools, RFID readers and tags and other electronic measurement instruments.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
BELLA Laser Achieves World Record
As Berkeley Lab’s laser plasma accelerator project BELLA nears completion, its drive laser has delivered one petawatt – a quadrillion watts – of peak power once each second, a world record for laser performance
The BELLA laser during construction. In the foreground, units of the front end stretch and amplify short, relatively weak laser pulses before further amplification in the long central chamber. Amplification is done by titanium sapphire crystals boosted by a dozen pump lasers. At the far end of the hall the now highly energetic stretched pulse is compressed before being directed to BELLA’s electron-beam accelerator component. (Photo Roy Kaltschmidt, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
“My congratulations to the BELLA team for this early mark of success,” said Berkeley Lab Director Paul Alivisatos. “This is encouraging progress toward a future generation of smaller and far more efficient accelerators to maintain our nation’s leadership in the tools of basic science.”
“Congratulations to all of you on this spectacular achievement,” said Stephen Gourlay, Director of AFRD. “It doesn’t seem that long ago that BELLA was just a dream, and now there is even more to look forward to. Thank you all for the hard work and support that made this a reality.”
Leemans says, “BELLA will be an exceptional tool for advancing the physics of laser and matter interactions. The laser’s peak power will give us access to new regimes, such as developing compact particle accelerators for high-energy physics, and tabletop free electron lasers for investigating materials and biological systems. As we investigate these new regimes, the laser’s repetition rate of one pulse per second will allow us to do ‘science with error bars’ – repeated experiments within a reasonable time.”
The BELLA design draws on years of laser plasma accelerator research conducted by LOASIS. Unlike conventional accelerators that use modulated electric fields to accelerate charged particles such as protons and electrons, laser plasma accelerators generate waves of electron density that move through a plasma, using laser beams to either heat and drill through a plume of gas or driving through plasma enclosed in a thin capillary in a crystalline block like sapphire. The waves trap some of the plasma’s free electrons and accelerate them to very high energies within very short lengths, as if the accelerated electrons were surfing on the near-light-speed wave.
LOASIS reported its first high-quality electron beams of 100 million electron volts (100 MeV) in 2004 and the first beams of a billion electron volts (1 GeV) in 2006 – in a sapphire block just 3.3 centimeters long. Planning for BELLA began shortly thereafter.
The BELLA laser is expected to drive what will be the first laser plasma accelerator to produce a beam of electrons with an energy of 10 billion electron volts (10 GeV). Before being converted to other uses, the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center achieved 50‑GeV electron beams with traditional technology, but required a linear accelerator two miles long to do it. By contrast, the BELLA accelerator is just one meter long, supported by its laser system in an adjacent room.
“LOASIS know-how in assembling our own laser systems allowed us to specify the laser requirements and specifications we’d need to achieve reliable, stable, tunable 10‑GeV beams with short warm-up time,” Leemans says. “U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said that new tools lead to new science, the kind BELLA is specifically designed to do. ”
The BELLA laser system has already demonstrated compressed output energy of 42.4 joules in about 40 femtoseconds at 1 Hz. Its initial peak power of one petawatt is twice that of lasers recently said to produce pulses more powerful than that consumed by the entire U.S. “at any instant in time.” “Instant” is the operative word, since the BELLA laser’s average power is just 42.4 watts, about what a typical household light bulb uses. The enormous peak power results from compressing that modest average power into an extremely short pulse.
Developed by Thales of France, whose team at Berkeley Lab was led by Francois Lureau, and installed in facilities constructed at Berkeley Lab, the BELLA laser system is fully integrated with Berkeley Lab equipment and personnel protection systems. It is expected to rapidly improve upon its first record-breaking performance and will soon be able to deliver the powerful pulses needed to create 10-billion-electron-volt electron beams in an accelerator just one meter long. Experiments to demonstrate BELLA’s ability to attain 10-GeV beams will begin this fall.
###
More about BELLA is at http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2009/12/22/accelerators-tomorrow-part2/ and http://www.lbl.gov/publicinfo/newscenter/features/2008/apr/af-bella.html.
More about LOASIS is at http://loasis.lbl.gov/, http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/AFRD-GeV-beams.html, and http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/AFRD-laser-wakefield.html.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. For more, visit www.lbl.gov.
DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit the Office of Science website at science.energy.gov/.
Thales is a global technology leader with a unique capability to design, develop, and deploy equipment, systems, and services that meet the most complex requirements. Thales has operations around the world working with customers as local partners.EMCORE Corporation Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter Ended June 30, 2012
Consolidated revenue exceeded the guidance range for Q3
Financial Results
Revenue:
Consolidated revenue for the third quarter ended June 30, 2012 was $41.1 million, slightly above the guided range of $38 to $41 million.
This represents a 17% decrease compared to the prior year and approximately 9% increase from the immediate preceding quarter.
On a segment basis, revenue for our Fiber Optics segment was $25.8 million, which represents a 22% decrease compared to the prior year and approximately 18% increase compared to the immediate preceding quarter. As previously reported, in October 2011, we announced that flood waters had severely impacted the inventory and production operations of our primary contract manufacturer in Thailand. The impacted areas included certain product lines for the Telecom and Cable Television (CATV) market segments. This has had a significant impact on our operations and our ability to meet customer demand for certain of our fiber optics products in the near term. We are currently on schedule rebuilding the manufacturing infrastructure for our impacted product lines.
Our Photovoltaics segment was not affected by the Thailand floods. Revenue for our Photovoltaics segment was $15.3 million, which represents a 6% decrease compared to the prior year and approximately 4% decrease compared to the immediate preceding quarter. Historically, Photovoltaics revenue has fluctuated significantly due to timing of program completions and product shipments of major orders.
Gross Profit:
Consolidated gross profit was approximately $4.4 million, which represents approximately 54% decrease compared to the prior year and an 18% decrease compared to the immediate preceding quarter. Consolidated gross margin was 10.7%, which represents a decrease from the 19.1% gross margin reported in the prior year and a decrease from the 14.2% gross margin reported in the immediate preceding quarter. On a segment basis, Fiber Optics gross margin was 9.3%, which represents a decrease from the 19.4% gross margin reported in the prior year and a decrease from the 9.4% gross margin reported in the immediate preceding quarter. Photovoltaics gross margin was 13.0%, which represents a decrease from the 18.6% gross margin reported in the prior year and a decrease from the 20.9% gross margin reported in the immediate preceding quarter.
During fiscal 2012, lower fiber optics-related revenues due to the impact from the Thailand flood resulted in higher manufacturing overhead as a percentage of revenue. Manufacturing of certain fiber optics-related components was moved to Company-owned facilities in the U.S., which involved higher labor and other related costs. Instead of completely rebuilding all flood-damaged manufacturing lines, management decided to realign the Company's fiber optics product portfolio and focus on business areas with strong technology differentiation and growth opportunities. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2012, management identified $0.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of inventory on order related to manufacturing product lines that were destroyed by the Thailand flood and will not be replaced. This expense was recorded within cost of revenues on our statement of operations. Photovoltaics gross margins declined when compared to prior periods primarily due to lower revenues with unfavorable product mix changes, as well as lower manufacturing yields on new products.
Operating Loss:
The consolidated operating loss was approximately $8.8 million, which represents a $2.4 million decrease in operating loss when compared to the prior year and a $0.1 million decrease in operating loss when compared to the immediate preceding quarter. The favorable year-over-year variance was primarily related to a $2.8 million gain recorded on the sale of fiber optics-related assets to a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries, LTD (SEI) in May 2012. We have indemnified SEI up to $3.4 million for potential claims and expenses for the two-year period following the sale and we have recorded this amount as a deferred gain on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2012. SEI paid $13.1 million in cash and deposited approximately $2.6 million into escrow as security for indemnification obligations and any purchase price adjustments. Payment of escrow amounts occurs over a two-year period and is subject to claim adjustments. We deferred approximately $4.9 million of the gain on sale until the indemnification obligation and purchase price adjustment contingencies are resolved. The year-over-year decrease in SG&A expense was attributable to cost reduction measures implemented which included a reduction of discretionary spending on staffing and infrastructure, as well as lower stock-based compensation expense. The year-over-year decrease in R&D expense was attributable to cost reduction measures discussed above, as well as lower expense incurred related to our development of our fiber optics products when compared to the prior year. In addition, in May 2012, we reached a confidential settlement regarding certain outstanding litigation in exchange for a release of all related claims. The settlement resulted in a charge of $1.0 million in our statement of operations during the three months ended June 30, 2012. We also recorded a $1.4 million impairment charge related to long-lived assets associated with our CPV product lines as the Company announced consolidation of activities into our CPV joint venture.
Net loss:
The consolidated net loss was $9.0 million, which represents a $2.0 million decrease in net loss when compared to the prior year and a decrease in net loss of approximately $0.3 million when compared to the immediate preceding quarter. The consolidated net loss per share was $0.38, which represents an improvement from the $0.49 loss per share reported in the prior year and an improvement from the $0.40 loss per share reported in the immediate preceding quarter.
Non-GAAP Net Loss:
After excluding certain non-cash and other infrequent transactions as set forth in the attached non-GAAP table, our non-GAAP net loss for the third quarter ended June 30, 2012 was approximately $7.5 million, which represents an additional loss of approximately $1.3 million when compared to the prior year and an additional loss of approximately $2.2 million from the loss reported for the immediate preceding quarter. The consolidated non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.32, which represents an increase from the $0.28 loss per share reported in the prior year and an increase from the $0.23 loss per share reported in the immediate preceding quarter.
Order Backlog
As of June 30, 2012, order backlog for our Photovoltaics segment totaled $46.2 million, which represents a 17% decrease from $55.7 million reported as of March 31, 2012. The order backlog as of June 30, 2012 and March 31, 2012 included $5.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of terrestrial solar cell orders from our Suncore joint venture. Order backlog is defined as purchase orders or supply agreements accepted by us with expected product delivery and/or services to be performed within the next twelve months. Product sales from our Fiber Optics segment are made pursuant to purchase orders, often with short lead times, and revenue from this segment is still limited by the rebuilding of our production capacity.
Business Outlook
On a consolidated basis, we expect revenue for our fourth quarter ended September 30, 2012 to be in the range of $46 to $49 million, with revenue growth from both our Photovoltaics and Fiber Optics business segments.
SOURCE LINK: http://investor.emcore.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=698907
- Revenue from Fiber Optics segment in Q3 increased approximately 18% sequentially
- Completed business and management realignment to improve efficiency and profitability
- Anticipate Q4 revenue of $46 to $49 million
Financial Results
Revenue:
Consolidated revenue for the third quarter ended June 30, 2012 was $41.1 million, slightly above the guided range of $38 to $41 million.
This represents a 17% decrease compared to the prior year and approximately 9% increase from the immediate preceding quarter.
On a segment basis, revenue for our Fiber Optics segment was $25.8 million, which represents a 22% decrease compared to the prior year and approximately 18% increase compared to the immediate preceding quarter. As previously reported, in October 2011, we announced that flood waters had severely impacted the inventory and production operations of our primary contract manufacturer in Thailand. The impacted areas included certain product lines for the Telecom and Cable Television (CATV) market segments. This has had a significant impact on our operations and our ability to meet customer demand for certain of our fiber optics products in the near term. We are currently on schedule rebuilding the manufacturing infrastructure for our impacted product lines.
Our Photovoltaics segment was not affected by the Thailand floods. Revenue for our Photovoltaics segment was $15.3 million, which represents a 6% decrease compared to the prior year and approximately 4% decrease compared to the immediate preceding quarter. Historically, Photovoltaics revenue has fluctuated significantly due to timing of program completions and product shipments of major orders.
Gross Profit:
Consolidated gross profit was approximately $4.4 million, which represents approximately 54% decrease compared to the prior year and an 18% decrease compared to the immediate preceding quarter. Consolidated gross margin was 10.7%, which represents a decrease from the 19.1% gross margin reported in the prior year and a decrease from the 14.2% gross margin reported in the immediate preceding quarter. On a segment basis, Fiber Optics gross margin was 9.3%, which represents a decrease from the 19.4% gross margin reported in the prior year and a decrease from the 9.4% gross margin reported in the immediate preceding quarter. Photovoltaics gross margin was 13.0%, which represents a decrease from the 18.6% gross margin reported in the prior year and a decrease from the 20.9% gross margin reported in the immediate preceding quarter.
During fiscal 2012, lower fiber optics-related revenues due to the impact from the Thailand flood resulted in higher manufacturing overhead as a percentage of revenue. Manufacturing of certain fiber optics-related components was moved to Company-owned facilities in the U.S., which involved higher labor and other related costs. Instead of completely rebuilding all flood-damaged manufacturing lines, management decided to realign the Company's fiber optics product portfolio and focus on business areas with strong technology differentiation and growth opportunities. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2012, management identified $0.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of inventory on order related to manufacturing product lines that were destroyed by the Thailand flood and will not be replaced. This expense was recorded within cost of revenues on our statement of operations. Photovoltaics gross margins declined when compared to prior periods primarily due to lower revenues with unfavorable product mix changes, as well as lower manufacturing yields on new products.
Operating Loss:
The consolidated operating loss was approximately $8.8 million, which represents a $2.4 million decrease in operating loss when compared to the prior year and a $0.1 million decrease in operating loss when compared to the immediate preceding quarter. The favorable year-over-year variance was primarily related to a $2.8 million gain recorded on the sale of fiber optics-related assets to a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries, LTD (SEI) in May 2012. We have indemnified SEI up to $3.4 million for potential claims and expenses for the two-year period following the sale and we have recorded this amount as a deferred gain on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2012. SEI paid $13.1 million in cash and deposited approximately $2.6 million into escrow as security for indemnification obligations and any purchase price adjustments. Payment of escrow amounts occurs over a two-year period and is subject to claim adjustments. We deferred approximately $4.9 million of the gain on sale until the indemnification obligation and purchase price adjustment contingencies are resolved. The year-over-year decrease in SG&A expense was attributable to cost reduction measures implemented which included a reduction of discretionary spending on staffing and infrastructure, as well as lower stock-based compensation expense. The year-over-year decrease in R&D expense was attributable to cost reduction measures discussed above, as well as lower expense incurred related to our development of our fiber optics products when compared to the prior year. In addition, in May 2012, we reached a confidential settlement regarding certain outstanding litigation in exchange for a release of all related claims. The settlement resulted in a charge of $1.0 million in our statement of operations during the three months ended June 30, 2012. We also recorded a $1.4 million impairment charge related to long-lived assets associated with our CPV product lines as the Company announced consolidation of activities into our CPV joint venture.
Net loss:
The consolidated net loss was $9.0 million, which represents a $2.0 million decrease in net loss when compared to the prior year and a decrease in net loss of approximately $0.3 million when compared to the immediate preceding quarter. The consolidated net loss per share was $0.38, which represents an improvement from the $0.49 loss per share reported in the prior year and an improvement from the $0.40 loss per share reported in the immediate preceding quarter.
Non-GAAP Net Loss:
After excluding certain non-cash and other infrequent transactions as set forth in the attached non-GAAP table, our non-GAAP net loss for the third quarter ended June 30, 2012 was approximately $7.5 million, which represents an additional loss of approximately $1.3 million when compared to the prior year and an additional loss of approximately $2.2 million from the loss reported for the immediate preceding quarter. The consolidated non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.32, which represents an increase from the $0.28 loss per share reported in the prior year and an increase from the $0.23 loss per share reported in the immediate preceding quarter.
Order Backlog
As of June 30, 2012, order backlog for our Photovoltaics segment totaled $46.2 million, which represents a 17% decrease from $55.7 million reported as of March 31, 2012. The order backlog as of June 30, 2012 and March 31, 2012 included $5.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of terrestrial solar cell orders from our Suncore joint venture. Order backlog is defined as purchase orders or supply agreements accepted by us with expected product delivery and/or services to be performed within the next twelve months. Product sales from our Fiber Optics segment are made pursuant to purchase orders, often with short lead times, and revenue from this segment is still limited by the rebuilding of our production capacity.
Business Outlook
On a consolidated basis, we expect revenue for our fourth quarter ended September 30, 2012 to be in the range of $46 to $49 million, with revenue growth from both our Photovoltaics and Fiber Optics business segments.
SOURCE LINK: http://investor.emcore.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=698907
The longest fibre-optic sensor network that exists is developed for the remote monitoring of large infrastructures
In her PhD thesis, Montserrat Fernández-Vallejo, a telecommunications engineer and graduate of the UPNA-Public University of Navarre, has experimentally developed various fibre-optic sensor networks for the remote monitoring of large infrastructures. Specifically, she has managed to develop the largest network so far in existence —measuring 250 km—, which is equipped with a multiplexing capability, (which enables two or more information channels to be combined within a single transmission medium).
This technological development in the field of remote communication has enabled new lines of research and a host of practical applications to be opened up. Of particular importance among them is the monitoring of intelligent or large infrastructures for which the sensor networks are of tremendous use. As Montserrat Fernandez points out, “With remote monitoring we can analyse a structure or large infrastructures like marine platforms from a central hub located tens or hundreds of kilometres from the infrastructure to which the sensors send the information without the need for any power source.” This log enables measurements of structural or environmental parameters to be obtained, critical states to be observed, the correct maintenance to be provided and possible accidents to be prevented.
Fibre-optics is a transmission medium routinely used in data networks. It consists of a very thin strand of glass or plastic material along which the light that represents the data transmitted is sent. The fibre-optic sensor is a device capable of detecting variations of a parameter thanks to the change that this produces in some of the features of the light. The sensing network comprises a group of sensors placed directly on or very close to the infrastructure that is to be evaluated.
In her research, Montserrat Fernández addressed the three main challenges posed by optic sensor networks: multiplexing sensors in a single network, ensuring continued service in the event of a possible fault in the network, and allowing remote monitoring.
In this work she also developed the longest network so far with a multiplexing capability which extends to 250 kilometres. Multiplexing allows the systems and their cost to be simplified. "With multiplexing,” the researcher points out, “firstly, we share the same transmission medium to broadcast information coming from different sources, and secondly, we share the transmitter and the receiver.” In the case of remote fibre-optic networks, it is the fibre itself that functions as the medium of transmission: the sensors send the information through it and all the information received is handled at the main hub.
The principal applications of fibre-optic sensor networks are connected with cases in which the structure that needs to be monitored is economically very costly (oil pipelines, high voltage lines), when there is a risk of human loss (nuclear plants, chemical product warehouses, bridges, dams, etc.) or when a perimeter needs to be monitored.
Montserrat Fernández-Vallejo completed her degree in Telecommunications Engineering at the UPNA-Public University of Navarre in 2008. Since then, she has worked as an assistant and collaborator in projects in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. She did two periods of research: at the Università degli studi di Parma (Italy) in 2009, and at the Institute of Photonic Technology (Jena, Germany) in 2010.
Her PhD thesis has given rise to 15 articles in influential international journals, 12 papers at international conferences and 3 papers at national conferences.
Internet reference
SOURCE LINK: http://www.basqueresearch.com/berria_irakurri.asp?Berri_Kod=4104&hizk=I
This technological development in the field of remote communication has enabled new lines of research and a host of practical applications to be opened up. Of particular importance among them is the monitoring of intelligent or large infrastructures for which the sensor networks are of tremendous use. As Montserrat Fernandez points out, “With remote monitoring we can analyse a structure or large infrastructures like marine platforms from a central hub located tens or hundreds of kilometres from the infrastructure to which the sensors send the information without the need for any power source.” This log enables measurements of structural or environmental parameters to be obtained, critical states to be observed, the correct maintenance to be provided and possible accidents to be prevented.
Fibre-optics is a transmission medium routinely used in data networks. It consists of a very thin strand of glass or plastic material along which the light that represents the data transmitted is sent. The fibre-optic sensor is a device capable of detecting variations of a parameter thanks to the change that this produces in some of the features of the light. The sensing network comprises a group of sensors placed directly on or very close to the infrastructure that is to be evaluated.
Challenges addressed
The thesis “Contribution to the development of optical networks for fibre Optics sensors using fibre lasers” has been supervised by Professor Manuel López-Amo Sainz, of the Department of Electric and Electronic Engineering of the UPNA-Public University of Navarre; it took top honours and a cum laude distinction, with European Doctorate Mention.In her research, Montserrat Fernández addressed the three main challenges posed by optic sensor networks: multiplexing sensors in a single network, ensuring continued service in the event of a possible fault in the network, and allowing remote monitoring.
In this work she also developed the longest network so far with a multiplexing capability which extends to 250 kilometres. Multiplexing allows the systems and their cost to be simplified. "With multiplexing,” the researcher points out, “firstly, we share the same transmission medium to broadcast information coming from different sources, and secondly, we share the transmitter and the receiver.” In the case of remote fibre-optic networks, it is the fibre itself that functions as the medium of transmission: the sensors send the information through it and all the information received is handled at the main hub.
The principal applications of fibre-optic sensor networks are connected with cases in which the structure that needs to be monitored is economically very costly (oil pipelines, high voltage lines), when there is a risk of human loss (nuclear plants, chemical product warehouses, bridges, dams, etc.) or when a perimeter needs to be monitored.
Montserrat Fernández-Vallejo completed her degree in Telecommunications Engineering at the UPNA-Public University of Navarre in 2008. Since then, she has worked as an assistant and collaborator in projects in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. She did two periods of research: at the Università degli studi di Parma (Italy) in 2009, and at the Institute of Photonic Technology (Jena, Germany) in 2010.
Her PhD thesis has given rise to 15 articles in influential international journals, 12 papers at international conferences and 3 papers at national conferences.
Internet reference
- www.unavarra.es
- References
- M. Fernandez-Vallejo, D. Olier, A. Zornoza, R. A. Perez-Herrera, S. Diaz, C. Elosua, C. Bariain, A. Loayssa, and Manuel Lopez-Amo, “46 km long Raman amplified hybrid double-bus network with point and distributed Brillouin sensors,” IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol. 12, No. 1, art. no. 5737748, pp. 184-188, 2012.
M. Fernandez-Vallejo and M. Lopez
SOURCE LINK: http://www.basqueresearch.com/berria_irakurri.asp?Berri_Kod=4104&hizk=I
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Lithium Niobate Crystal splits Beam of Photons into Two Different Colors
Tests performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) show that a new method for splitting photon beams could overcome a fundamental physical hurdle in transmitting electronic data. These results* could lead to commercial systems that can help safeguard the transfer of sensitive information.
The findings confirm that a prototype device developed with collaborators at Stanford University can double the amount of quantum information that can be sent readily through fiber-optic cables, and in theory could lead to an even greater increase in the rate of this type of transmission.
Conventional fiber-optic systems, in use for decades, transmit data as a series of light pulses—just a step up from Morse code. Such pulse streams can be intercepted by third parties undetectably. But the photons themselves can carry data, encoded in their quantum states. Because any attempt to intercept that data alters the quantum state, eavesdroppers can always be detected.
While information scientists have found a way to encode photon quantum states successfully, practical systems need the photons to be at wavelengths compatible with both existing optical-fiber networks and single-photon sensitive (and economically viable) silicon detectors. Unfortunately, these wavelengths are different.
One potential solution is to change the photons' wavelength from the infrared—desirable for fiber networks—to the visible spectrum so a silicon detector can "see" them. A method of doing so is to mix the information-carrying photons with a second photon beam. The information-carrying photons absorb this second beam's additional energy and get kicked up from the infrared region of the spectrum to the wavelength of visible red light, which silicon sensors can detect. However, silicon single-photon detectors cannot operate very fast, which puts limitations on data rates and ultimately, their usefulness for quantum information transmission systems.
"The limiting factor up until this point has been the detector speed," says Paulina Kuo, a scientist with NIST's Applied and Computational Mathematics Division. "Researchers would like a way around this issue, as it stands in the way of quantum information-based security innovations."
The heart of the newly developed device is a new crystal that goes beyond converting the wavelength of the photons. Designed and fabricated by Stanford's Jason Pelc, the crystal is capable of splitting the beam of infrared, information-carrying photons into two distinct beams of slightly different color, and directing the different-colored photons to different outputs. Controlling the flow to either output allows the team to use two "slow" detectors in place of one, thereby doubling the overall system speed.
NIST tests showed that this innovation allows twice as much data to be sent in a single beam, and Kuo says that the photons conceivably can be split not just into two, but several different beams.
"We first demonstrated this concept last year,** but with this new device, the technique can be scaled up, meaning that in theory, we can significantly increase the amount of information that can be sent," she says. "We hope this is a potential solution to the detector problem."
 |
Nearly transparent, this lithium niobate crystal (visible just above the white square section at bottom right of righthand photo) is capable of splitting a beam of photons into two beams of two different colors, an innovation that may help send quantum information through fiber optic cables, one of which is attached to the crystal at its top left corner and extends straight upward to the top of the photo frame.Credit: Talbott/NIST |
Conventional fiber-optic systems, in use for decades, transmit data as a series of light pulses—just a step up from Morse code. Such pulse streams can be intercepted by third parties undetectably. But the photons themselves can carry data, encoded in their quantum states. Because any attempt to intercept that data alters the quantum state, eavesdroppers can always be detected.
While information scientists have found a way to encode photon quantum states successfully, practical systems need the photons to be at wavelengths compatible with both existing optical-fiber networks and single-photon sensitive (and economically viable) silicon detectors. Unfortunately, these wavelengths are different.
One potential solution is to change the photons' wavelength from the infrared—desirable for fiber networks—to the visible spectrum so a silicon detector can "see" them. A method of doing so is to mix the information-carrying photons with a second photon beam. The information-carrying photons absorb this second beam's additional energy and get kicked up from the infrared region of the spectrum to the wavelength of visible red light, which silicon sensors can detect. However, silicon single-photon detectors cannot operate very fast, which puts limitations on data rates and ultimately, their usefulness for quantum information transmission systems.
"The limiting factor up until this point has been the detector speed," says Paulina Kuo, a scientist with NIST's Applied and Computational Mathematics Division. "Researchers would like a way around this issue, as it stands in the way of quantum information-based security innovations."
The heart of the newly developed device is a new crystal that goes beyond converting the wavelength of the photons. Designed and fabricated by Stanford's Jason Pelc, the crystal is capable of splitting the beam of infrared, information-carrying photons into two distinct beams of slightly different color, and directing the different-colored photons to different outputs. Controlling the flow to either output allows the team to use two "slow" detectors in place of one, thereby doubling the overall system speed.
NIST tests showed that this innovation allows twice as much data to be sent in a single beam, and Kuo says that the photons conceivably can be split not just into two, but several different beams.
"We first demonstrated this concept last year,** but with this new device, the technique can be scaled up, meaning that in theory, we can significantly increase the amount of information that can be sent," she says. "We hope this is a potential solution to the detector problem."
* J.S. Pelc, P.S. Kuo, O. Slattery, L. Ma, X. Tang and M.M. Fejer. Dual-channel, single photon upconversion detector at 1.3 micrometers. Optics Express. V. 20 No. 17. Published Aug. 3, 2012.
** L. Ma, J.C. Bienfang, O. Slattery and X. Tang. Up-conversion single-photon detector using multi-wavelength sampling techniques. Optics Express Vol. 19, No. 6. Published Mar. 14, 2011.
Source Link: http://www.nist.gov/itl/math/photon-080812.cfm
Thursday, August 2, 2012
ElectroniCast Fiber Optic Sensors: Global Market Forecast & Analysis
Fiber optic sensor technology has experienced impressive growth since ElectroniCast first started providing market and technology analysis of the subject since the early 1980s. In fact their analysts were tracking the various advanced photonic technologies, since 1976.
This is the ElectroniCast forecast of global market consumption of Fiber Optic Sensors. The 2011-2016 quantitative market forecast data presented in this study report are segmented into the following geographic regions, plus a Global summary:
· The Americas (North America, Central and South America)
· EMEA (Europe, Middle Eastern countries, plus Africa)
· APAC (Asia Pacific)
The market forecast data is presented and segmented in two main sections:
· Fiber Optic Point Sensors: Component-Level
· Distributed Continuous Fiber Optic Sensor Systems
Fiber Optic Point Sensors The ElectroniCast market forecast of the Fiber Optic Point Sensors is segmented by the following end-user applications:
· Manufacturing Process/Factory
· Civil Engineering/Construction (buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc)
· Military/Aerospace/Security
· Test & Measurement used in Telecommunication, CATV, Private/Enterprise
· Biomedical/Science
· Petrochemical/Energy/Utilities/Natural Resources
· Automotive/Vehicle
Sensing/Measuring (Measurand) The ElectroniCast Fiber Optic Point Sensor Forecast further segmented by the following sensing/measuring quantity (measurand) types:
· Mechanical Strain
· Temperature
· Pressure
· Chemical, Gas, Liquid
· Vibration, Acoustic, Seismic
· Displacement, Acceleration, Proximity
· Electric and Magnetic Field - Fiber Optic Sensors
· Rotation (such as Fiber Optic Gyroscopes: FOGs)
Distributed Continuous Sensors The market forecast of the Distributed Continuous Sensors is further segmented by application and by technology, as follows:
· Manufacturing Process/Factory
o Interferometric
o Raman back-scattering
o Brillouin waves
· Civil Engineering/Construction (buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc)
o Interferometric
o Raman back-scattering
o Brillouin waves
· Military/Aerospace/Security
o Interferometric
o Raman back-scattering
o Brillouin waves
· Petrochemical/Energy/Utilities/Natural Resources
o Interferometric
o Raman back-scattering
o Brillouin waves
· Biomedical/Science
o Interferometric
o Raman back-scattering
o Brillouin waves
ElectroniCast counts each Point fiber optic sensors as one unit; however, the volume/quantity (number of units) of Distributed Continuous fiber optic sensors is based on a complete optical fiber line/link, which we classify as a “system”.
A Distributed Continuous fiber optic sensor system involves the optic fiber with the sensors embedded within the fiber, plus electronics, connectors, data acquisition module, software, and miscellaneous components; however, ElectroniCast quantifies the optical fiber, cable (fiber jacket) and the sensor elements in this forecast data (only).
It is important to note that POINT sensors are often used in Distributed fiber optic sensor systems (installed at multiple-points/ point-to-point); however, we count their use in the Point fiber optic sensor category and not in the continuous (non-stop) distributed sensor category.
Fiber Optic Sensors: Global Market Forecast Depending on the application, fiber may be used because of its small size, or because no electrical power is needed at the remote location, or because many sensors can be multiplexed along the length of a fiber by using different wavelengths of light for each sensor, or by sensing the time delay as light passes along the fiber through each sensor.
The consumption value of fiber optic sensors is shown in Figure 1. During the 2011-2016 timeline, we forecast that the consumption (use) value will grow at an impressive average annual rate of 20.5% from $1.34 billion to $3.39 billion. Market forecast data in this study report refers to consumption (use) for a particular calendar year; therefore, this data is not cumulative data.
The 2011-2016 quantitative market forecast data presented in this study report are segmented into the following geographic regions, plus a Global summary:
· The Americas (North America, Central and South America)
· EMEA (Europe, Middle Eastern countries, plus Africa)
· APAC (Asia Pacific)
Extensive Technology Review This report by ElectroniCast Consultants provides a very deatiled review of applicable technologies, including:
· Interferometry
· Intensity
· Polarization
· Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)
· Raman back-scattering
· Fluoresence
· Brillouin waves
· Doppler Anemometry
· Spectroscopy
· Waveguides/ Specialty Optical Fiber
· Optrode
Competition Also included in this market forecast and analysis report from ElectroniCast is an extensive list of fiber optic sensor manufacturers and related companies, along with a matrix table classifying the types of sensors technologies. Market share estimates for the leading competitors are also provided.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Sensing Monitoring and data transmission using fiber optic sensors and optical fiber in cabling is now commonplace in various applications, via intrinsic fiber optic sensors or extrinsic fiber optic sensors. With an intrinsic sensor, one or more of the sensing/measuring quantity or physical properties (measurand) of the optical fiber passes through or inside the optical fiber and therefore experiences a change. Extrinsic sensing takes place in a region outside of the optical fiber and the optical fiber acts as a transmission media of light to and from (linking) the sensing interface.
The worldwide consumption value for fiber optic intrinsic sensors is forecast to increase at an average annual growth rate of nearly 20.7% during the 2011-2016 timeframe covered in this market forecast study by ElectroniCast; the use of fiber optic interface extrinsic sensors is forecast to increase at 18.15% per year.
About ElectroniCast
ElectroniCast, founded in 1981, specializes in forecasting technology and global market trends in fiber optics communication components and devices, as well providing market data on light emitting diodes used in lighting.
As an independent consultancy we offer multi-client and custom market research studies to the world's leading companies based on comprehensive, in- depth analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors. This includes technology forecasting, markets and applications forecasting, strategic planning, competitive analysis, customer-satisfaction surveys and marketing/sales consultation. ElectroniCast, founded as a technology-based independent consulting firm, meets the information needs of the investment community, industry planners and related suppliers.
Project Director - ElectroniCast
Stephen Montgomery, MBA/Technology Management, President at
ElectroniCast Consultants.
Mr. Montgomery joined ElectroniCast over 20-years ago (in 1990) and has specialized in photonics and fiber optic components market/technology forecasting and client consultations. In addition to serving as President, he has been the Director of the Fiber Optics Components group since 1994. He has given numerous presentations and published a number of articles on optical communication markets, technology, applications and installations.
Since 1994 (18-years), Mr. Montgomery has been a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of LIGHTWAVE Magazine (Pennwell Publishing). Since 2003 (almost 10-years) he has been a regular contributor, writing a monthly article covering optical communication networks for OPTCOM Magazine (Japan)
Contact me for more information: Stephen Montgomery
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