2/4/2003 6:04:00 AM
BOTHELL, Wash., Feb 4, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Lumera Corporation, a majority
owned subsidiary of Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq:MVIS), announced that it has
successfully demonstrated a prototype radio frequency (RF) phase shifter that
has the ability to deliver new levels of precision, performance and cost for
several applications, including phased array antenna systems.
The low voltage required to drive Lumera’s proprietary polymer components
enables the design of phase shifters that feature fully integrated electronics
and allow for the elimination of expensive and bulky power supplies. As a
result, the devices not only offer the potential for reduced cost and size, but
also provide greater design flexibility particularly in larger arrays. According
to the company, the RF phase shifter device is based on proprietary
electro-optic polymers and device fabrication techniques that are closely
related to those used in its ongoing work on devices for high-speed
communications applications. The company plans to begin working with potential
partners for the completion of first phase development and testing in the second
quarter of 2003.
“Phased array antennae and radar systems are an increasingly important tool in
mission critical environments, such as military radar and highly mobile
ground-to-air communication links,” stated Tom Mino, Lumera CEO. “However, as
the use of higher frequency bands in mobile and satellite communications has
accelerated, deployment has been limited by the high cost, limited performance
and large size of electrical based RF phased shift components.”
“By comparison, antenna arrays that utilize Lumera’s polymer based components
could offer significant advances in precision, size, weight, and power. Until
now practical implementation of arrays with thousands of elements has been
limited by the complexity and high cost of the feed structures and active phase
shifting elements, as well as by the limited performance of the individual phase
shifters. This is an exciting development that can potentially enable valuable
solutions to address many real and significant market opportunities. We expect
there to be keen interest in such devices because they can potentially improve
the accuracy and reliability of systems ranging from navigation to weapons
guidance to satellite communications and surveillance.”
Because of the combination of small size, low power and low cost, Lumera says
that its polymer phase shift components also offer new potential for state of
the art antenna systems for numerous applications in non-military market
segments ranging from commercial aviation to all forms of space and ground based
wireless communications to automotive collision avoidance systems.
Phased array antennae include many radiating elements that together generate a
highly agile, controllable beam. The beam can be steered by precisely and
quickly controlling the relative phases of the signals at each radiating
element.
Lumera announced that its prototype RF phase shifter component produces a
45-degree phase shift at a frequency of 16 GHz with a 35-volt bias. Due to the
low photonic dispersion of organic polymers, the RF phase shift component has
potential to operate well above a frequency of 100 GHz.
About Lumera
A subsidiary of Microvision, Inc., Lumera is a leader in the development of
electro-optic devices based on proprietary optical polymers. The company plans
to deliver superior and unique component solutions to optical systems suppliers.
Lumera plans to supply standard and custom components to systems providers in
multiple high-growth product categories. Additional information can be found at
Lumera’s Web site at http://www.lumera.com.
About Microvision
Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Microvision Inc. is the developer of a patented
retinal scanning display technology and a world leader in micro miniature
optical scanning technology for display and imaging applications. The company’s
technology has applications in a broad range of military, medical, industrial,
professional and consumer information products.
Forward Looking Statement
Certain statements contained in this release, including those relating to
product development and applications and potential partners, are forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in our
forward-looking statements include the following: market acceptance of our
technologies and products; our financial and technical resources relative to
those of our competitors; our ability to obtain financing; our ability to keep
up with rapid technological change; government regulation of our technologies;
our ability to enforce our intellectual property rights and protect our
proprietary technologies; the ability to obtain additional contract awards and
to develop partnership opportunities; the timing of commercial product launches;
the ability to achieve key technical milestones in key products; and other risk
factors identified from time to time in our SEC reports, including in our Annual
Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q.
CONTACT:
Microvision, Inc.
Matt Nichols, 425/415-6657 (Media)
Brian Heagler, 425/415-6794 (Investors)
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