PHOENIX, Oct. 23 -- Micro Photonix Integration Corp. and the Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. have entered into a joint agreement to develop a next-generation OC-192 transponder. The product will combine Furukawa's DFB laser technology with MPI's lithium niobate-based integrated driver/modulator solution. Under terms of the development agreement, the companies will collaborate on the design of a transponder that will feature Furukawa's new DFB laser (currently under development) coupled to MPI's recently introduced OC-192 IDM (integrated driver/modulator). The MSA (Multi Source Agreement) 300-pin compatible unit will initially target long haul applications. Initial prototypes will be complete during the first quarter of 2002, with full production anticipated in August 2002.