Lambda OpticalSystems

About Lambda OpticalSystems

Lambda OpticalSystems, founded in 2000 by Abdella Battou and formerly known as Firstwave Secure Intelligent Optical Networks, develops all-optical solutions for telecommunications transport networks. The company is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with additional offices in New Jersey, Tokyo, and Milan. It targets telecommunications carriers, government agencies, and research and education networks with its technology.

The firm's core technology avoids the need for expensive and inefficient Optical-to-Electrical-to-Optical (OEO) conversions by processing network packets in their native optical form. This is achieved by integrating Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), which allows various packet formats like SONET/SDH, IP, and ATM to travel simultaneously on a single optical fiber, each on a separate wavelength. This approach is designed to increase network capacity, performance, and agility while reducing operational costs through simplified provisioning and faster service activation. The technology is protocol and bit-rate independent, supporting applications such as Ethernet and HDTV across different network topologies like ring and mesh.

The product portfolio includes the LambdaNode family of all-optical switches and cross-connects, such as the LambdaNode 2000, 3000, and 5000. These hardware products are managed by the LambdaCreate software suite and the Lambda Optical Control Plane operating system, which provide remote control, provisioning, and management tools. One of the key features is the use of a Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) control plane, which automates circuit provisioning and allows applications to interface directly with the switching systems to dynamically manage network resources.

Abdella Battou, the founder, also serves as the Chief Technology Officer, overseeing system architecture and development. He previously co-founded Firstwave Secure Intelligent Optical Networks and was a senior research scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory. The leadership team includes Irfan Ali as President and CEO, who brought extensive experience from roles at 3Com and Newbridge Networks. Since its inception, Lambda OpticalSystems has raised approximately $48 million in funding over six rounds from investors including Sevin Rosen, Fuse Capital, and PacRim Venture Partners.