July 22, 2002

Xtera Communications, along with University of Michigan, adds five additional patents to their portfolio, enabling all-Raman amplification in long-haul WDM transport systems

Allen, TX – July 22, 2002 – Xtera Communications, Inc. (www.xtera.com), innovator of the Wide ReachTM  Nu-Wave DWDM system used to transport 2.4 terabits across long distance networks, today announced that they have expanded their Raman amplifier patent portfolio to include United States Patents No. 6,052,393, No. 6,335,820, No. 6,356,384, No. 6,359,725, and No. 6,370,164.  These patents strengthen Xtera's lead intellectual property position in all-Raman optical transport systems.

Xtera's portfolio of patents enables simpler and lower cost methods of wavelength amplification by expanding the usable spectrum in fiber.  Combined with Xtera's unique Raman pumping scheme, communication traffic can be transported using a single Wide Reach(tm) amplifier, tripling the number of wavelengths transportable at the same cost, as compared to traditional erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) deployed in most legacy networks today.
"These patents follow Xtera's recent award in distributed Raman technology," according to Xtera COO, Carl DeWilde. "These additional patents further strengthen our intellectual property position underpinning the technology built into our all-Raman Nu-Wave DWDM system enabling us to revolutionize the cost points of optical networks."

The newly issued patents include breakthroughs in low cost pumping, multi-stage amplification, distributed Raman, discrete Raman, integrated dispersion compensation and transmission over a wide range of wavelengths.  Xtera's all-Raman technologies can be used on all fiber types including the most widely installed fiber, SSMF, as well as non-zero dispersion-shifted (NZDSF) fiber types.
Benefits of Xtera's newly patented Wide Reach(tm) Raman technology include superior per channel density, greater transmission distances, broader transmission spectrum and superior power loss characteristics.  These technological advances have been commercialized in Xtera's Nu-Wave DWDM product.  Offered at the lowest cost per gigabit per kilometer in the industry, the Nu-Wave simplifies network design and planning while providing carriers with more scalable optical network solutions. 

About Xtera Communications

Xtera Communications specializes in network infrastructure that delivers the highest capacity, reach and density. Our long-haul, Submarine, Metro and WAN technologies together with our deployment expertise drive customer success and long term value.

Xtera offers an extensive portfolio of Optical Transport solutions for long-haul, regional, metropolitan and sub-sea networks, and WAN Traffic Management solutions for both enterprise and telecom companies.  

With deployments in four continents, Xtera’s Optical Transport portfolio helps service providers worldwide reach new markets via new deployments, and extends the life of their existing network assets with cost-effective upgrades. Xtera‘s innovative Traffic Management solutions offer customers the best price/performance in network optimization.

Xtera delivers compelling advantage to its customers by maximizing network capacity, reach and value.

For more information, please visit www.xtera.com