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Opnext Extends into the Electrical Domain with CX4 Module

July 27, 2004

CX4 provides performance optimization for shorter reach connection

Opnext, Inc., a global leader in high-performance optical components, today introduced its CX4 Module, extending the company’s market position into electrical domain of 10 Gigabit Ethernet products. This extension of the portfolio will give Opnext’s customers the confidence of purchasing their electrical solutions from the same vendor they trust with their optical components. The electrical interface of this CX4 Module will allow cost-effective interconnection of data communication systems in a data center application.

The Opnext CX4 Module, an electrical transceiver, can be used to interconnect systems over distances of up to 15 meters over standard copper cabling. Opnext’s CX4 Module is easily managed through its Management Data Input Output (MDIO) interface, which provides control, monitoring and diagnostics, while also providing access to vendor and customer static information. Monitoring and control functionality include transmit disable, detection of receive signals, detection of fault conditions and module reset functions.

“The 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceiver market is a growth segment of the current market. By introducing our CX4 module, Opnext continues to deliver technologies relevant to current market needs,” said Rich Zoccolillo, VP of Subsystems for Opnext. “We are further cementing our leadership position in the 10Gbit Ethernet transceiver market by introducing this electrical module which facilitates system makers use of pluggable interfaces across a larger family of applications.”

The Opnext CX4 module is compliant to: IEEE STD 802.3ak 10GBASE-CX4; and XENPAK MSA MDIO/MDC and NVR. The module will be offered in both XENPAK and X2 packaging formats, meeting the data communication market’s diverse packaging requirements. Samples of the Opnext CX4 will be available beginning Q3 2004. Full product specifications are available on the company’s website, www.opnext.com.

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