Acapella was founded in 1990 to create communications ICs. It is self funded and has 11 employees. Acapella specializes in ping-pong communications chips which provide full duplex links through a single fiber-optic cable without requiring expensive optical splitters. The company makes asynchronous and synchronous single fiber transceivers, async. and sync. fiber modems, T1/E1 and 128kbps fiber modems. The latest chip supports E2/T2 data rates, 25km distances and full-duplex single-fiber communication. The company recently started expanding into general purpose optical communications products and will develop products in areas such as FTTH (fiber-to-the-home). Key customers include the British Ministry of Defense, Siemens, AT&T and ICL.

Fiber optic communications is a tremendous growth area and Acapella appears to be taking a conservative, sensible approach to the market. The company started with several highly specialized, high value niche products and is now looking to expand its mission. Acapella has several representatives in place with better coverage in Europe then elsewhere. Curiously the company has only two reps. in the USA: one for Michigan and one located in Maryland for all other states.

Phil Tolcher - Sales Manager