SONAbeam™ optical wireless products

fSONA has developed an optical wireless line of products that will enable high bandwidth wireless connectivity, much like fiber optic technology has done for wired connectivity. All of the fSONA products use wavelengths around 1.5 mu m both for eye safety and for maximum commonality with fiber optic technology. Initial products provide either OC-3 (155 Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (125 Mbps). The 2km unit is fixed mounted and provides a relatively large beamwidth to compensate for building motion. The 4km unit utilizes a narrow transmit beamwidth with active pointing for motion compensation. Trials of the units with key customers begin in second quarter 2000, with volume production of the 2Km-unit beginning in third quarter and the 4km unit in the fourth quarter. Product designs for 622 Mbps and 1.25 Gbps should be completed prior to the end of the 2000.