NEW FIRECOMMS 1394 PLASTIC TRANSCEIVER CONFORMS TO WAKE-ON-LAN SPECIFICATIONS

Dresden, Germany, April 25, 2006 - Firecomms today introduces a fully integrated RCLED-based 650nm FOT (fiber optic transceiver) and highly-sensitive receiver FOT to fully conform to the IEEE 1394 and IDB-1394 Wake-on-LAN specifications.

Announced today at the 1394 Trade Association 2nd Quarterly Meeting, Firecomms’ RCLED-based 650 nm FOT solution provides a seamless digital media to red light conversion for performance at maximum speed in POF (plastic optical fiber) applications such as IEEE 1394b S200 and IDB-1394. The FOTs operate at LVDS signal levels directly compatible with IEEE 1394b PHY ICs.

The new FOT is based on Firecomms’ proprietary technology for Resonant Cavity LEDs, is rated for modulation of 250 Mbps (1394 S200), and meets all low power and sleep mode operation characteristics demanded by the specification. The FOT is compatible with SMI and IDB-1394 automotive connector form factors, and is small enough for use in low-cost connectorless housings.

“Our new FOTs meet the stringent low-power and performance requirements set by the automotive OEMs,” says Firecomms CEO Declan O'Mahoney, “while at the same time meeting the low costs and ease of use advantages of our consumer network customers.”

Firecomms leads the development of devices to drive POF, a low-cost optical alternative to copper cabling. Due to its ease of use, large core tolerances, and low costs, POF is enjoying a huge growth in a wide range of applications. Created for consumer, industrial, and automotive applications in which plastic fiber can be used more easily and at lower cost than copper or glass fiber, POF is now used in millions of small area networks, such as those in use in many car models, and is rapidly gaining ground in home network and point-to-point interconnection. In fact, over 510 million 1394 nodes have shipped worldwide.

Firecomms new 1394/FireWire FOT, series FDL300, is currently shipping in volume quantities. This device can be ordered through Firecomms’ sales organization (sales@firecomms.com) in Japan, USA and Europe.

About Firecomms, Ltd.

Firecomms, a compound semiconductor company, develops high-speed light sources in visible range wavelengths. Firecomms’ lasers and LEDs provide the groundwork that will revolutionize optical data communications for small area networks, such as in-car networks and home networks. Firecomms’ low power visible lasers unleash the potential for advances in medical devices, barcode scanners, and optical storage devices.

The Ireland-based company leverages its ten years of photonics research experience, optical expertise, and extensive IP portfolio to develop cost-effective solutions for applications in which the use of glass fiber optics is prohibitively expensive. Additional information about Firecomms is available at www.firecomms.com.

Further Information:

Rene' Williams
Firecomms USA
Tel. 949.360.7770
rene@firecomms.com.