AT&T Co has developed a new fibre optic data link for the Japanese market. The ODL 125-FC comprises a receiver and transmitter, converting electrical signals to optical signals for fibre optic data transmission. Applications include fibre-optic token-passing-ring local area networks, transmission of digitised video signals and workstation networking. AT&T claims it can offer Japanese manufacturers volume-manufacturing capability and vertical integration. AT&T’s Japanese office includes the first AT&T Bell Laboratories product design organisation located in a foreign country; the fibre optic link will be manufactured in the United States. AT&T claims that the ODL 125-FC was designed specifically to comply with Japan’s industry standard for fibre optic connectors; it is scheduled for introduction in mid-1989.
