Company Profile | March 30, 2001

Multiplex, Inc.

Source: Multiplex, Inc.
Multiplex is a U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of high-end active opto-electronic components and subsystems for the telecommunications/long distance market. Our line of photonics products includes high-power 980 pump laser modules; ultra-high-power 980 pump laser combiners; 1310nm and 1550nm high-speed EML's for 10Gb/s applications; 10Gb/s photoreceivers (including the MTRX192L, the first 10Gb/s receiver with an integrated limiting amplifier); 10Gb/s tunable EML transmitters; and 10Gb/s transponders. Through our state-of-the-art technology in MOCVD wafer growth, and advanced device design and packaging, we are able to meet the growing demands of the long-haul and metro markets.

As a vertically integrated company, we are able to offer our customers the following:

  • State-of-the-art MOCVD wafer growth
  • Semiconductor laser processing
  • Laser-welded, epoxy-free module packaging
  • Qualified opto-module production
  • Advanced system level testing
  • Full module and reliability testing

    History

    Multiplex was founded in March of 1998, by Dr. Won T. Tsang (ECM: hyperlink to Won's bio) with some of his colleagues from Lucent's Bell Labs. Multiplex's first round of financing actually took place in January of 1998, with $7.5 million raised. Second-round financing in November 1999 resulted in $21 million. In May of 2001, Multiplex closed its third round of financing with $105 million raised.

    Within its first 18 months, Multiplex introduced the key products that would become its primary business units: 980 pump lasers, high-speed EMLs and high-sensitivity photoreceivers. Constant innovation has lead to advancements on all product lines, with some of the following highlights:

  • The integration of a limiting amplifier to Multiplex's 10Gb/s photoreceiver

  • Continuous improvements to the power of the MTX9P line of 980 pump lasers (300mW output power available as of this writing)

    In September of 2000, Multiplex introduced the world's first tunable transmitter with 16 channels and electronic tuning. This highly integrated module is based on Multiplex's MTX52EW EML for 2.5Gb/s performance. Switching times of less than 10 micro-seconds is possible, allowing for fast-switching applications. Many of the tunable lasers from Multiplex's competitors rely on temperature tuning, with switching times measured in seconds (an eternity in the world of opto-electronics).

    In November of 2000, Multiplex opened a high-speed design center in San Jose, California. This location serves as an additional R&D arm of Multiplex, with the express mission of developing high-speed laser packages and receivers. It will also help to facilitate Multiplex's entrée into the world of 40Gb/s and other high-speed solutions.

    March of 2001 marked Multiplex's third anniversary and the introduction of two new products: a 10Gb/s alternative of the MTX-TEML tunable transmitter and a 10Gb/s tunable transponder. Both were introduced at the Optical Fiber Conference (OFC) in Anaheim, California. The transponder in particular generated a lot of excitement as industry-leading performance was demonstrated, as was next-generation, small-form packaging that Multiplex's competitors could not match.

    The extraordinary demand for its products has lead Multiplex to aggressively ramp its manufacturing capacity. As of May of 2001, Multiplex had over 275 employees (in January of 2000, Multiplex employed 35 employees). This rapid growth lead Multiplex to purchase a third building in South Plainfield, New Jersey; this 226,000 square-foot location will serve as Multiplex's corporate offices and expanded manufacturing facility. The official opening is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2001.

    In its short period of existence, Multiplex has grown into one of the leading companies in the opto-electronics industry. Multiplex will continue to use its outstanding technical base to meet the demands of long distance market.