American Photonics
Encyclopedia
American Photonics, Inc. was a very early developer of LAN
technologies based first in Brewster, NY, moving later to Brookfield Center, CT. American Photonics, Inc., also referred to as API, was founded in 1982 by James Walyus (1938–2000) while he was employed by Exxon
Optical Information Systems (Exxon OIS) of Elmsford, NY. His intention was to create an organization that would develop leading-edge, yet commercially viable, optical communication technologies that could be sold into large potential markets.
After some initial research in networking technologies, API was contracted by Interlan (another early Ethernet networking company, subsequently acquired by Racal
Electronics PLC) to develop an adjunct to its 10Base5
Ethernet
transceivers and Network Interface Cards (NICs, or Network cards). This adjunct product was to extend the distance between the transceiver and the NIC by way of fiber optics, as the distance was severely limited by the 15-pin Attachment Unit Interface
(AUI) cable used in this connection. This cable transmitted three signals, namely Transmit Data (TD), Receive Data (RD), and Collision Detect (CD), but since duplex optical cables were widely available, it was a requirement to multiplex RD and CD together onto a single fiber. The API RL5000 was the first product in the history of Ethernet to successfully achieve this feat, in 1983.
Building upon this early success, API developed the RL1000 line of Ethernet 10Base5 transceivers. The RL1000 physical design was patterned on the rugged 3Com
3C107 transceiver, with the added feature of indicator lamps much like the Cabletron Systems
ST500 transceiver , and it became relatively popular as a result.
Another early Ethernet product designed by API was the RL6000 Ethernet Repeater. This unit directly competed with the Digital Equipment Corporation
(DEC) DEREP-AA repeater, but had the advantages of being modular (allowing for fiber interfaces, Thinnet or AUI Cable interfaces) and smaller (occupying less than half the space of a DEREP-AA). Consequently, API was able to overtake DEC in sales of this product in 1984, a significant feat for a start-up in the Ethernet industry.
The penultimate Ethernet product developed by API was the RL8000 Modular Ethernet Hub. This unit was released at about the same time as the Cabletron Systems MMAC-8 modular hub and the Astra Communications (soon to be SynOptics
) LattisNet
concentrator. The RL8000 was complete with network management software and modular AUI and fiber optic ports, and was supplied with RL3000 fiber-to-AUI adapters for the remote ends of the fiber optic cables. This product was successfully installed in its first customer application in 1986.
Despite raising $6M from investors such as Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
and Mura Corp. over the course of four investment rounds, American Photonics ran aground in 1987 due to a variety of reasons, among them product distribution problems, insufficient funding for growth, and the stock market crash of October 19, 1987, also known as Black Monday
. Investors brought in a CEO to replace James Walyus in November 1987 and the decision to close down was made in January 1988. The company was placed in Chapter 7
Bankruptcy and its assets sold to the public in mid-1988. The rights to the design of the RL6000 were acquired by Siecor Electro-Optic Products of Research Triangle Park, NC, but they were unable to produce the unit in quantity.
Although largely forgotten at this time, API played an important role in the history of development of Ethernet technology in the early-mid 1980s. In addition to its Ethernet products, API also produced fiber optic RS232 converters and RS232-to-T1 time-division multiplexers (TDMs) which were provided on an OEM basis to Fibermux Corp. (later acquired by ADC Telecommunications
) and early 850/1310 nm wavelength-division multiplexers (WDM
s) and demultiplexers. API also developed, but did not commercially produce, a unique fiber optic power meter based on a design licensed from McDonnell Aircraft
Corp. and 64Net, an early local networking hub product designed specifically for the Commodore 64
computer, in 1982.
Län
Län and lääni refer to the administrative divisions used in Sweden and previously in Finland. The provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010....
technologies based first in Brewster, NY, moving later to Brookfield Center, CT. American Photonics, Inc., also referred to as API, was founded in 1982 by James Walyus (1938–2000) while he was employed by Exxon
Exxon
Exxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
Optical Information Systems (Exxon OIS) of Elmsford, NY. His intention was to create an organization that would develop leading-edge, yet commercially viable, optical communication technologies that could be sold into large potential markets.
After some initial research in networking technologies, API was contracted by Interlan (another early Ethernet networking company, subsequently acquired by Racal
Racal
Racal Electronics plc was once the third-largest British electronics firm. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index, Racal was a diversified company, offering products including: as voice and data recorders; point of sale terminals; laboratory instruments;...
Electronics PLC) to develop an adjunct to its 10Base5
10BASE5
10BASE5 was the original commercially available variant of Ethernet.For its physical layer it used cable similar to RG-8/U coaxial cable but with extra braided shielding. This is a stiff, diameter cable with an impedance of 50 ohms , a solid center conductor, a foam insulating filler, a shielding...
Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
transceivers and Network Interface Cards (NICs, or Network cards). This adjunct product was to extend the distance between the transceiver and the NIC by way of fiber optics, as the distance was severely limited by the 15-pin Attachment Unit Interface
Attachment Unit Interface
An Attachment Unit Interface is a 15 pin connection that provides a path between a node's Ethernet interface and the Medium Attachment Unit , sometimes known as a transceiver. It is the part of the IEEE Ethernet standard located between the Media Access Control , and the MAU...
(AUI) cable used in this connection. This cable transmitted three signals, namely Transmit Data (TD), Receive Data (RD), and Collision Detect (CD), but since duplex optical cables were widely available, it was a requirement to multiplex RD and CD together onto a single fiber. The API RL5000 was the first product in the history of Ethernet to successfully achieve this feat, in 1983.
Building upon this early success, API developed the RL1000 line of Ethernet 10Base5 transceivers. The RL1000 physical design was patterned on the rugged 3Com
3Com
3Com was a pioneering digital electronics manufacturer best known for its computer network infrastructure products. The company was co-founded in 1979 by Robert Metcalfe, Howard Charney, Bruce Borden, and Greg Shaw...
3C107 transceiver, with the added feature of indicator lamps much like the Cabletron Systems
Cabletron Systems
Cabletron Systems was a major New Hampshire, USA-based provider of networking computer equipment throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Cabletron's design and sales methodologies dramatically reduced the cost of Ethernet networking equipment, covering a wide range of Layer 1 and Layer 2 networking...
ST500 transceiver , and it became relatively popular as a result.
Another early Ethernet product designed by API was the RL6000 Ethernet Repeater. This unit directly competed with the Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
(DEC) DEREP-AA repeater, but had the advantages of being modular (allowing for fiber interfaces, Thinnet or AUI Cable interfaces) and smaller (occupying less than half the space of a DEREP-AA). Consequently, API was able to overtake DEC in sales of this product in 1984, a significant feat for a start-up in the Ethernet industry.
The penultimate Ethernet product developed by API was the RL8000 Modular Ethernet Hub. This unit was released at about the same time as the Cabletron Systems MMAC-8 modular hub and the Astra Communications (soon to be SynOptics
SynOptics
SynOptics Communications was a Santa Clara, California-based early computer network equipment vendor from 1985 until 1994, when it began a series of mergers....
) LattisNet
LattisNet
LattisNet was a family of computer networking hardware and software products built and sold by SynOptics Communications during the 1980s...
concentrator. The RL8000 was complete with network management software and modular AUI and fiber optic ports, and was supplied with RL3000 fiber-to-AUI adapters for the remote ends of the fiber optic cables. This product was successfully installed in its first customer application in 1986.
Despite raising $6M from investors such as Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe is a private equity investment firm in the United States. Founded in 1979, it has organized 14 limited partnerships with total capital over $16 billion and is currently in the process of raising a new $4 billion private equity fund Welsh, Carson Anderson & Stowe XI...
and Mura Corp. over the course of four investment rounds, American Photonics ran aground in 1987 due to a variety of reasons, among them product distribution problems, insufficient funding for growth, and the stock market crash of October 19, 1987, also known as Black Monday
Black Monday (1987)
In finance, Black Monday refers to Monday October 19, 1987, when stock markets around the world crashed, shedding a huge value in a very short time. The crash began in Hong Kong and spread west to Europe, hitting the United States after other markets had already declined by a significant margin...
. Investors brought in a CEO to replace James Walyus in November 1987 and the decision to close down was made in January 1988. The company was placed in Chapter 7
Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 7 of the Title 11 of the United States Code governs the process of liquidation under the bankruptcy laws of the United States...
Bankruptcy and its assets sold to the public in mid-1988. The rights to the design of the RL6000 were acquired by Siecor Electro-Optic Products of Research Triangle Park, NC, but they were unable to produce the unit in quantity.
Although largely forgotten at this time, API played an important role in the history of development of Ethernet technology in the early-mid 1980s. In addition to its Ethernet products, API also produced fiber optic RS232 converters and RS232-to-T1 time-division multiplexers (TDMs) which were provided on an OEM basis to Fibermux Corp. (later acquired by ADC Telecommunications
ADC Telecommunications
ADC Telecommunications was a communications company located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a southwest suburb of Minneapolis. It was acquired by TE Connectivity in December 2010 and now ceases to exist as a separate entity...
) and early 850/1310 nm wavelength-division multiplexers (WDM
WDM
WDM is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, as described below:* Warm dark matter* Warm dense matter* Wavelength-division multiplexing* wdm, the WINGs Display Manager* West Des Moines, Iowa* Western Development Museum of Saskatchewan...
s) and demultiplexers. API also developed, but did not commercially produce, a unique fiber optic power meter based on a design licensed from McDonnell Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft
The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was an American aerospace manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri. The company was founded on July 16, 1939 by James Smith McDonnell, and was best known for its military fighters, including the F-4 Phantom II, and manned spacecraft including the Mercury capsule...
Corp. and 64Net, an early local networking hub product designed specifically for the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
computer, in 1982.