MRV Communications Granted Free-Space Optics Patent

CHATSWORTH, Calif., April 26 -- MRV Communications Inc. announced it has been granted a free-space optics (FSO) industry patent for "Wireless optical communications without electronics" -- the first of its kind that requires no O-E-O conversion.

MRV said the all-optical technology, invented by David Medved and Leonid Davidovich of MRV, reduces installed system costs by removing the electronics from roof-mounted optical transceivers and using existing network infrastructure products. The technology is protocol-independent and integrates with existing infrastructures, including twisted pair (DSL), CAT-5, fiber and wireless, the company said.