EXFO to Launch All-Band Component Analyzer at OFC/NFOEC 2005

EXFO to Launch All-Band Component Analyzer at OFC/NFOEC 2005

    Business Editors

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2005--

Only test system on the market that covers the O, E, S, C, L and U bands
    EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:EXFO) (TSX:EXF.SV) announced today the upcoming product launch of the IQS-12008 All-Band Component Analyzer at OFC/NFOEC 2005 in Anaheim, CA.

    The All-Band Component Analyzer, which is designed for the optical component manufacturing and R&D markets, is the only test system on the market capable of characterizing optical components across the entire telecom wavelength range. With a single internal tunable laser sweeping from 1260 to 1630 nm, this instrument provides simple, efficient and yet comprehensive measurement capabilities across all the bands (O, E, S, C, L, and U).

    This flexible, cost-effective solution is designed for all passive components, but due to its extended wavelength range of nearly 400 nm, it is particularly well suited for fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) and coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) applications. It is the only single-box solution that provides multi-channel insertion loss (IL), optical return loss (ORL) and polarization-dependent loss (PDL) measurements over all the bands.

    EXFO's new test system rapidly analyzes all critical parameters required to help customers validate their component designs and to improve their production efficiency and time-to-market. It is built with the future in mind; the modular nature of the hardware and the flexibility of the software render it easy to upgrade a test station.

    For example, a four-channel test system for measuring couplers or splitters can be expanded up to 32 channels by simply adding the necessary plug-in mini-modules. The All-Band Component Analyzer is also surprisingly compact: an entire 32-channel system, including PDL tester, will fit into a single IQS-510P platform.

    "With this industry first, we have established a new benchmark for optical component analysis," said Etienne Gagnon, EXFO's Vice-President of Optical-Layer Product Management. "Customers, who were using a costly, patchwork setup by stringing together multiple tunable lasers, broadband light sources, and various detection schemes, can now rely on EXFO's all-in-one test system to meet all their passive component testing needs."

    EXFO's All-Band Component Analyzer will be showcased at booth 1407 from March 8-10 at OFC/NFOEC 2005 in Anaheim, CA.

    About EXFO

    EXFO is a recognized test and measurement expert in the global telecommunications industry through the design and manufacture of advanced and innovative solutions as well as best-in-class customer support. The Telecom Division, which represents the company's main business activity, offers fully integrated and complete test solutions to network service providers, system vendors and component manufacturers in approximately 70 countries. One of EXFO's strongest competitive advantages is its PC/Windows-based modular platforms that host a wide range of tests across optical, physical, data and network layers, while maximizing technology reuse across several market segments. The Photonics and Life Sciences Division mainly leverages core telecom technologies to offer value-added solutions in the life sciences and high-precision assembly sectors. For more information about EXFO, visit www.exfo.com.

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CONTACT: EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. Vance Oliver Manager, Investor Relations (418) 683-0913, Ext. 3733 vance.oliver@exfo.com

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCT SOURCE: EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc.

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