Pico Macom Introduces Line of Fiber-Optic Equipment
-New Products Include Transmitters, Receivers and Indoor/Outdoor Nodes-

Orlando, June 20, 2007-As a major addition to its diverse product line, Pico Macom is unveiling a new series of optical equipment designed for all broadband systems and applications. The new optical product line presents high quality yet cost-effective solutions for operators seeking to add new services and expand their existing HFC networks. The transmitters and receivers in the line are backed with Pico Macom's industry-leading five-year limited warranty.

Pico Macom is exhibiting its fiber line during SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2007 in Orlando at The Steren Group booth #573. The new line of optical equipment includes the following products and series:

Optical Transmitters
The PFT Series optical transmitters are available in nine output power levels, from 6 to 14dBm, allowing flexibility in numerous CATV applications. Each unit takes various combinations of input modulated RF signals and converts them to light for distribution into nodes. With an optical wavelength of 1310nm and a bandwidth of 54~860MHz, the transmitter supports transmission of NTSC, 8VSB and QAM RF signals over single-mode optical fiber. The PFT Series transmitters are 19´´ wide and rack mounted with a height of 1RU.

Optical Forward Receivers
The PFR Series fiber-optic receivers will take an optical source from a forward transmitter in the frequency range of 54~860MHz and convert to RF signals. The PFR Series is available as a single optical input with two or four RF outputs. Employing state-of-the-art GaAs amplifier design, the receivers operate at a low optical window with improved composite distortion performance. These optical receivers utilize a new low noise, impedance matched, high efficiency 1310/1550nm broadband photodiode and advanced RF amplification circuitry to facilitate carriage of critical upstream video, data, telephony and Internet traffic in an HFC broadband environment.

Optical Return Receivers
The PRR Series of single, dual and quad optical return receivers are densely populated units that take an optical input from a return transmitter and convert it to a 5~200MHz RF signal. Designed to meet CATV applications, each receiver has a -2dBm to 0dBm optical input range and automatic and manual AGC control circuitry that enable it to maintain a high-output RF level with negligible distortion. Like the PFR Series of forward receivers, the PRR Series of return receivers utilize a new low noise, impedance matched, high efficiency 1310/1550nm broadband photodiode and advanced RF amplification circuitry.

Outdoor Optical Nodes
The PON-2 and 2R are two-output and the PON-4 and 4R are four-output state-of-the-art outdoor optical CATV broadband nodes with a 48dBmV spurious-free output level. The RF output level, across the 54~860 MHz spectrum, is easily maintained with an optical input level as low as -6dBm, because of the sensitivity and low noise threshold of GaAs amplifier modules used in the unit design. Internal to the units are plug-in equalizer, attenuator and diplexer filters, making the units adaptable to current and future CATV broadband services. The nodes have balanced RF output ports, each with a forward bandwidth of 54~860 MHz, and an optional reverse path of 5~42 MHz. All ports are bi-directional and capable of passing power into and out of the nodes.

Indoor Optical Nodes
The compact PMN-1 and the PN-1 are cost-effective and fully featured indoor optical nodes specifically designed for the delivery of analog and digital video, high-speed data and telephony signals into homes. These units have diverse applications in MDU, industrial, government and educational institutions for the delivery of current and future broadband CATV services. The fiber core employed in the units' design is a 1310/1550nm optical receiver with a wide optical input window of -6 to 3dBm. Both nodes feature an integrated optical attenuator and equalizer to guarantee excellent broadband signal delivery, thereby eliminating signal overload distortions RF output. The nodes employ GaAs amplifier technology for excellent low and high frequency RF performance and spurious-free output. Power is provided for the PMN-1 mini indoor node through coaxial cable (line) or an external wall-mount power adaptor, while the PN-1 is powered with a 120/240Vac internal power supply.

About Pico Macom
Based in San Diego, California, Pico Macom is a worldwide leader in the engineering, development and manufacture of an extensive line of broadband solutions, including electronics, systems equipment and installation components for the franchised cable, private cable and other industries. Founded in 1962, Pico Macom technology is installed in thousands of broadband systems and networks around the globe, in residential units, hotels, motels, schools, hospitals, private and smaller-to-medium cable environments. Pico Macom is a Steren company and a Certified Minority Business Enterprise.