Transition Networks Enhances Its Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Industrial Portfolio With New Improved IEEE 802.3at Power Over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) Standard

Adding PoE Plus Enables Increased Power Over Ethernet for IP Cameras, VoIP Phones, Wireless Access Points and Video Conferencing Applications

Transition Networks Inc., a global leader in industrial fiber networking technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JCS – News), today announced the introduction of three new industrial-hardened products designed to extend the benefits of Power Over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) to high availability devices at the network edge in industrial and outdoor environments. The new switches offer full Gigabit Ethernet ports with the PoE Plus capability in accordance with IEEE 802.3at standards.

These new switches can be used to connect and power network devices such as WAPs and IP cameras in outdoor or industrial environments. The SISTP1010-380-LRT is specifically designed for use onboard public transportation systems. The extra power capability may also be used for wireless access devices with multiple antennas for diversity (MIMO). With Gigabit speed and PoE Plus ports these switches can power the latest IEEE 802.11n generation of WAPs, Access Control Units, Security Cameras — including PTZ, IP print servers, biometric sensors, WiMAX Transmitters, Thin Clients and Video-Phones.

“This new higher-wattage power offers users greater flexibility and mobility with the support for new devices, in addition to still supporting older power levels ensuring backward compatibility with existing powered devices,” said Kevin Faulds, Director of Product Marketing at Transition Networks. “We’re excited to bring these new products to our customers as a means to provide a safe and reliable source for powering high power consumption Ethernet devices, while also reducing installation costs and complexity.”

Product Features

The SISTP1010-380-LRT is an ideal solution for building onboard communications systems on public transportation systems such as buses and trains. With pending E-Mark certification the switch is approved for use in EU countries requiring this safety approval. There is no need for an additional power supply — the SISTP1010-380-LRT can be powered directly from vehicle 12/24 VDC systems. It also maintains a wide operating temperature range of -40 to +70°C and rugged construction to allow it to be mounted outside of the air conditioned passenger spaces.

The SISTP1040-242-LRT is built with physical distribution of network-powered devices and services in mind. Its pair of Gigabit-speed fiber SFP ports enables a fiber daisy-chain architecture to be built with no additional fiber termination devices in the field, reducing initial capital investment as well as installation costs. The SFP ports allow a combination of multimode (MM) and single-mode (SM) fiber, with more expensive SM being typically reserved for the network backhaul and MM fiber used in the daisy-chain portion of the network build.

The SISPM1040-384-LRT is a fully-managed Industrial Ethernet switch that provides full gigabit speed on 8 copper ports. With its advanced Ethernet management, redundancy and security features coupled with rugged hardware performance this switch is built for environments that require high reliability and availability. The four Gigabit speed SFP ports allow maximum flexibility in architecting a myriad of fiber-supported, powered network architectures. The eight Gigabit copper ports with Power Over Ethernet Plus are ideal for supporting wireless access points with MIMO antenna diversity.

All switches are offered in extended operating temperature range of -40°C to +70°C; these switches also provide dual power inputs with reverse polarity power input protection and overload current protection, as well as a relay contact output circuit for controlling external alarms. DIN-rail and wall mount brackets are included as standard.

Product Description

SISTP1010-380-LRT Industrial Unmanaged Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Plus PSE
Switch
Industrial 8-port Unmanaged Gigabit PoE Plus

SISTP1040-242-LRT Industrial Unmanaged Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Plus
Ethernet
PSE Switch (4) 10/100/1000Base-T(X) + (2) 1000Base-X SFP
Ports

SISPM1040-384-LRT Industrial Managed All-Gigabit Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)
Plus PSE
Switch (8)10/100/1000Base-TX RJ45 (PoE) + with (4)
Gigabit SFP Ports

Product Availability
Products are available now. Please contact Transition Networks at (800) 526-9267 or +1-952-941-7600 for pricing and more information on the Transition Networks’ Industrial Products. You can also visit www.transition.com for the latest information.

About Transition Networks Products
Transition Networks’ conversion products are known for their ruggedness and reliability. All Transition Networks brand of media converters and switches carry a lifetime warranty.

About Transition Networks Inc.
Transition Networks Inc. offers networking connectivity solutions that make networks perform better, faster and more reliably while helping companies leverage their existing networking infrastructure. The company’s Transition Networks brand of Hardened and Enterprise grade switches and media converters make conversion between disparate media types possible, providing conversion technology solutions that offer the necessary adaptations without affecting the performance, nature or appearance of the network. Based in Minneapolis, Transition Networks distributes hardware-based connectivity solutions exclusively through a network of resellers in 50 countries, including Ingram Micro and Tech Data. Transition Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: JCS – News).

NeoPhotonics Doubles Capacity of Narrow Linewidth Tunable Lasers for Coherent DWDM Systems

Narrow Linewidth Tunable Lasers are Critical Components for High Speed 40 and 100 Gbps Coherent Systems

NeoPhotonics Corporation (NYSE: NPTN – News), a leading designer and manufacturer of photonic integrated circuit, or PIC, based modules and subsystems for bandwidth-intensive, high speed communications networks, today announced that the company is in the process of doubling capacity for production of narrow linewidth tunable lasers. NeoPhotonics offers these lasers in an OIF MSA standard ITLA form factor and the products are designed to provide the low noise and narrow linewidths required for 40 and 100 Gbps coherent applications.

The NeoPhotonics products are compact, widely-tunable laser assemblies designed to be optimized for narrow linewidth with up to 35mW launch power in the C band and 20mW in the L band. The products’ narrow linewidth and frequency stability are enabled by a NeoPhotonics phase-shifted DFB laser chip and a proprietary packaging technology, while the ITLA assembly also includes an integrated wavelength locker as well as industry standard electrical and firmware interfaces. The narrow linewidth tunable laser has been available to customers since April 2010 and has become one of the leading lasers used in coherent systems.

“Our narrow linewidth tunable lasers are key components for coherent transport in telecommunications systems, which we believe is rapidly emerging as a dominate architecture for 40 and 100 Gbps networks,” said Tim Jenks, CEO of NeoPhotonics. “We believe there is currently a shortage of these critical products while demand continues to grow. We are in the process of more than doubling our production capacity of narrow linewidth tunable lasers with minimal expected additional capital expenditures. We anticipate our added capacity to be on-line in the first quarter of 2012.”

About NeoPhotonics

NeoPhotonics is a leading designer and manufacturer of photonic integrated circuit, or PIC, based modules and subsystems for bandwidth-intensive, high-speed communications networks. The company’s products enable cost-effective, high-speed data transmission and efficient allocation of bandwidth over communications networks. NeoPhotonics maintains headquarters in San Jose, California and ISO 9001:2000 certified engineering and manufacturing facilities in Silicon Valley and Shenzhen, China. NeoPhotonics has been included in the Russell 3000® Index since its reconstitution in June 2011. For additional information, visit www.neophotonics.com.

EXFO Launches the BrixHawk Distributed Analyzer, the Latest Addition to Its Mobile Network Analysis and Monitoring Product Family

BrixHawk DA is Designed for Live Network Troubleshooting, Network Service Optimization and to Speed Up LTE/3G Network Rollouts

EXFO Inc. (Nasdaq:EXFO – News) (TSX:EXF.TO – News) announced today the launch of the new BrixHawk Distributed Analyzer for live mobile network troubleshooting, network service optimization and to speed up LTE/3G network rollouts. This distributed analyzer bridges EXFO’s analyzer and service assurance product families, providing seamless scalability to address customers’ testing needs and volumes change.

BrixHawk DA provides customers with a powerful, real-time protocol analyzer that clearly shows the quality of experience (QoE) of the end-user. Having all the relevant KPIs in real time and using the integrated deep packet inspection technology of the BrixHawk DA enables network equipment manufacturers and mobile network operators to perform more advanced user-plane analysis–resulting in faster troubleshooting of QoE issues. What’s more, BrixHawk DA increases efficiency and reduces risk in the network rollout phase as well as after network deployment, plus it helps retain more satisfied customers and reduce OPEX for testing teams.

The BrixHawk DA is the latest member to EXFO’s network analysis and monitoring product family, which includes SoftHawk Software Analyzer, TravelHawk Portable Analyzer, PowerHawk Multi-User Analyzer and BrixHawk SA Service Assurance Solution. The modular architecture enables ease of scalability of the BrixHawk DA system so that the customer only invests as needed. If the customer later wishes to build a 24/7 network monitoring solution, BrixHawk SA, the BrixHawk DA system enables seamless scalability and reuse of technology investment and know-how–requiring minimal training, hassle and cost.

“BrixHawk DA is the most powerful solution for network service optimization as it enables the test engineer to easily and clearly visualize the network, call and service quality, helping reduce customer churn,” said Matti Palomaki, Vice-President of EXFO’s Wireless Division. “It empowers engineers to quickly identify network errors in a few clicks and can be used in network labs or for troubleshooting a live network, which makes it the ideal tool to ensure a timely, efficient and first-time-right network deployment.”

For more information on the BrixHawk DA Distributed Analyzer, please visit www.EXFO.com.

About EXFO

Listed on the NASDAQ and TSX stock exchanges, EXFO is among the leading providers of next-generation test and service assurance solutions for wireless and wireline network operators and equipment manufacturers in the global telecommunications industry. The company offers innovative solutions for the development, installation, management and maintenance of converged, IP fixed and mobile networks–from the core to the edge. Key technologies supported include 3G, 4G/LTE, IMS, Ethernet, OTN, FTTx, and various optical technologies (accounting for an estimated 35% of the portable fiber-optic test market). EXFO has a staff of approximately 1800 people in 25 countries, supporting more than 2000 telecom customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.EXFO.com.

Digital Lightwave Network Tester Saves Time and Money With Multi-Port 10G Testing Capability

NIC Plus Offers Industry’s Highest-Port-Count 10G Testing in a Portable Chassis

The Digital Lightwave, Inc. Network Information Computer (NIC) Platform increases network rollout efficiency with multi-port 10Gbps testing. The NIC Plus chassis supports up to five MSA-series modules, each supporting optional 10G Ethernet, SONET/SDH, OTN and Fibre Channel testing.

“Deployment of 10Gbps circuits worldwide is growing at a rate of approximately 14 percent annually,” said Michael Weldon, Vice President of International Sales. “Testing multiple ports simultaneously reduces the overall test time and provides more thorough testing. Our customers are able to deploy networks more efficiently ever than before, saving time and money and leading to better customer satisfaction.”

The MSA 2020/2030 modules provide an unmatched feature set to meet network testing needs today and tomorrow. Test Options are available to support Ethernet 10/100/1000/GigE/10GigE, SONET/SDH from 51M to 10G, Fibre Channel 1/2/4/8/10G and OTN rates including OTU-1, OTU-2, OTU-1e and OTU-2e. Each module is licensed separately for the ultimate in flexibility. A NIC equipped with five MSA modules is capable of testing five (5) 10G ports and ten (10) lower-speed Ethernet or Fibre Channel ports, all simultaneously, a feature available only with the Digital Lightwave NIC.

MSA-series modules take on the most difficult testing challenges in telecom, datacom and storage area network testing. Portable NIC units are ideal for central office and field testing. Identical capabilities are available in the NIC EP rackmount chassis for lab and manufacturing applications. The versatile NIC Plus supports additional custom configurations, including the industry’s only dual 40G/100G testing in a portable chassis.

The NIC offers the industry’s most comprehensive suite of capabilities for transport testing and Carrier Ethernet, including the highest line speeds and multiple ports to reduce test times and improve ROI, and industry-leading OTN and Ethernet technology including multiplexed ODU-0 testing.

About Digital Lightwave

Digital Lightwave, Inc. provides the global communications networking industry with products, technology and services that enable the efficient development, deployment and management of high-performance networks. Digital Lightwave’s customers rely on its offerings to optimize network performance and ensure service reliability.

Frontline Introduces the ComProbe 802.11 a/b/g/n Protocol Analyzer Boasting No Packet Loss

The ComProbe 802.11 Analyzer boasts a massive data buffer ensuring no more dropped 802.11 packets, precision timestamps, and built in Bluetooth coexistence capability when combined with the ComProbe BPA 500 Dual Mode Bluetooth Protocol Analyzer

Frontline Test Equipment, Inc. is pleased to introduce the ComProbe 802.11 a/b/g/n Protocol Analyzer. This is the latest addition to their ComProbe family of protocol analyzers and is a game changer for 802.11 engineers. Using the ComProbe 802.11 analyzer means no more dropped or missing packet, incorrect timestamps, or troublesome Bluetooth coexistence issues. And it works with all 802.11 specifications including a, b, g, n, and supports Wi-Fi Direct.

Using the ComProbe 802.11 analyzer means you never have to worry about dropped packets. Frontline has built in a massive data buffer able to capture all packets flowing between devices. 802.11 developers no longer need to worry or wonder if they got all the data, if something was missed, or dropped. The ComProbe 802.11 analyzer delivers every pack sent or received – guaranteed. You get all of the data all of the time.

Bluetooth coexistence with the ComProbe 802.11 analyzer is a snap. It connects directly to the ComProbe BPA 500 Dual Mode Bluetooth Protocol Analyzer via ProbeSync , a Frontline technology that allows two or more analyzers to share a common clock. Once connected both 802.11 and Bluetooth packets can be displayed together, with accurate timestamps and precision that was previously unattainable. ComProbe software helps developers quickly identify, debug, and troubleshoot coexistence issues.

Frontline uses a modular approach to protocol analysis and has created the ComProbe Analysis System. Each Frontline ComProbe analyzer uses a specific hardware interface for the technology being tested – Bluetooth, 802.11, USB, High Speed UART, and SD/SDIO. Each can work individually or in combination with other ComProbe hardware interfaces through Frontline’s core ComProbe software running on a PC. No other tool on the market can do that. This modular approach provides engineers with a rich set of analysis tools and features in a uniform, consistent, and intuitive software platform. The right tool is a must. With Frontline tools you can “Debug Communications Faster”.

About Frontline

Frontline is the world’s leading provider of Bluetooth protocol analysis technology and the premier Bluetooth device interoperability testing (IOT) house. 84 out of the Fortune 100 companies use Frontline. Frontline’s ComProbe line of Bluetooth analyzers are the de-facto industry standard and are used by hundreds of company’s globally including, CSR, Broadcom, Atheros, Apple, Nokia, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, and Marvell. Frontline maintains the world’s largest Bluetooth device library for use in its IOT service organization. Frontline’s technology has been integrated into the Bluetooth SIG’s PTS qualification tool which is the system used to determine if a product meets Bluetooth interoperability standards. Frontline supports the entire range of Bluetooth technology: Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate, low energy, and High Speed.