NETWORK PHOTONICS DEVELOPS 1-D MEMS OPTICAL SWITCH
Network Photonics, a start-up based in Boulder, Colorado, announced details of a unique optical switch enabled by an integration of 1-dimensional (1-D) MEMS and a wavelength dispersive element.  The CrossWave 1-D MEMS technology consists of a single, linear array of micromirrors and is highly scalable, requiring only one mirror to switch each wavelength.  The wavelength dispersive element spatially separates wavelengths from input fibers and focuses them on the surface of a micromirror in the 1-D MEMS array where the switching occurs.  The dispersive element then recombines the independently switched wavelengths into DWDM signals, which in turn exit into the output fibers.  The 1-D linear array of micromirrors is controlled with simple digital electronics.  Each mirror is positioned accurately in one of several highly stable positions with switching times of less than a millisecond.  Network Photonics said it CrossWave would result in much lower cost, power and space requirements by eliminating the need for external DWDM multiplexers and repeated OEO conversions compared to 2-D and 3-D MEMS optical cross-connect systems.  http://www.networkphotonics.com/press/press-2001-09-11.html 
Network Photonics, September 2001

• Network Photonics has raised $139 million since January 2000 and its investors include New Enterprise Associates, US Venture Partners, Spectrum Equity Investors, The Sturm Group, Mustang Ventures and Western Technology.
   

• Network Photonics is led by Steve Georgis, previously a co-founder of Exabyte Corporation

FCC TO REVIEW SEPARATE AFFILIATE RULES FOR INCUMBENT INDEPENDENT LOCAL PHONE CARRIERS
The FCC is reexamining rules pertaining to the provisioning of in-region, interexchange services by incumbent independent local exchange carriers (LECs), which are defined as non-Bell Operating Company LECs, such as small and often rural carriers.  These incumbent, independent LECs currently are permitted to provide in-region, long distance service without demonstrating compliance with the competitive checklist of section 271.  Incumbent independent LECs providing facilities-based, in-region, long distance service must do so through a separate corporate affiliate. Incumbent independent LECs providing in-region, long distance service exclusively through resale, however, must do so through a separate corporate division, rather than a separate affiliate.  The FCC is seeking comment on several issues related to the provisioning of these in-region, interexchange services.  The incumbent, independent LECs represent less than 2% of the nation's access lines.  http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/2001/nrcc0134.html 
FCC, September 13, 2001

FCC ADOPTS RULE CHANGES TO FACILIATE DEPLOYMENT OF
SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO TECHNOLOGY
The FCC adopted new rules intended to facilitate the adoption of “software defined radios” that can be quickly reprogrammed to transmit and receive on multiple frequencies in different transmission formats.  The technology would use software to perform functions such as the generation of the transmitted radio signal and the tuning of the received radio signal.  Under the previous FCC rules, if a manufacturer wanted to make changes to the frequency, power or type of modulation for an approved transmitter, a new approval was required, and the equipment had to be re-labeled with a new identification number.  Under the new rules, software modifications in a software-defined radio can be made through a "permissive change," which has a streamlined filing process.  The FCC identification number will not have to be changed, so equipment in the field will not have to be re-labeled.  The Commission will permit an optional "electronic label" for software-defined radios, in which the FCC identification number could be displayed on an LCD or similar screen.  http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/News_Releases/2001/nret0106.html 
FCC, September 13, 2001

KEY3MEDIA TO COMBINE COMDEX AND NETWORLD+INTEROP IN 2002
Key3Media Group will combine the fall COMDEX and Networld+Interop into a single show to be held in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in September 2002.  Together, the shows are expected to attract more than 70,000 attendees.  http://www.key3media.com 
http://www.webeventregistration.com/registration/press_release_detail?v_press_release_id=2119 
Key3Media, September 2001

SPIRENT INTRODUCES SMARTXDSL TOOL FOR PPP PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Spirent Communications introduced an upgraded version of its SmartBits SmartxDSL test suite for PPP performance analysis.  The test set uses Spirent’s existing ATM and 10/100 Ethernet SmartCards to emulate thousands of xDSL end-users and simulate traffic from multiple DSLAMs, transmitting PPP over ATM, PPP over Ethernet over ATM, and PPP over Ethernet packets.  The PPP capacity tests specifically measure the AC's PPP session capacity by generating a multitude of PPP session requests, negotiating LCP handshake and authentication parameters, reporting the number of sessions established and failed, and the minimum, maximum and average establishment time of each session.  Spirent said that due to the dramatic change in the network access model, where broadband aggregation devices such as access concentrators (ACs) are replacing remote access servers (RAS) to handle the growing number of broadband subscribers, there is a growing need to measure the performance of IP-based network services, including metrics such as throughput, latency, packet loss and session establishment tests.  http://www.spirentcom.com/news/pressreleases/scsmartxdsltool.asp 
Spirent, September 2001

NETTEST ADDS INVERSE MULTIPLEXING OVER ATM CONFORMANCE TEST
NetTest introduced an Inverse Multiplexing over ATM (IMA) automated conformance testing solution to provide network operators and equipment manufacturers assurance in their IMA implementation to industry standards. Key elements of the solution include conformance, functional and emulation applications. http://www.nettest.com/pages/2001092.htm 
NetTest, September 2001

Daily Journal For Broadband Networking
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