BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 18 -- Cielo Communications, a provider of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology and integrated optical subsystems, announced the availability of the industry's first 2.5 Gb/s per channel VCSEL-based 1310-nm array modules available in either 8- or 12-channel versions. The arrays offer a combination of increased density and low power, providing customers with a cost-effective, feature-rich, small-footprint solution in a single multichannel module, the company said. The parallel arrays are designed for use in SONET/OC-48 applications, including dense optical networking equipment and optical backplane interconnects. These modules are Cielo's first in a series of devices that will fuel the rapid development and deployment of 1310-nm array solutions required to create the next generation of optical networks and products. "Our 1310 nm VCSEL-based arrays are more than an industry first," said Mick Wilcox, product marketer for Cielo's array products. "They are based on a disruptive technology that will significantly stimulate the growth of a new generation of optical networks. This product is targeted at two main applications; dense OC-48 SONET interfaces and proprietary intra-system interconnects."