1
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 16, 1997
                        Registration No. 333-__________

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                  ____________

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                  ____________

                           HARMONIC LIGHTWAVES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         DELAWARE                                         77-0201147
- ----------------------------                            -------------
(State or other jurisdiction                            (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)                              Identification No.)

                                 549 Baltic Way
                          Sunnyvale, California  94089
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                  ____________

                                1995 Stock Plan
                            (Full Title of the Plan)
                                  ____________

                                 ANTHONY J. LEY
   CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                           HARMONIC LIGHTWAVES, INC.
                                 549 BALTIC WAY
                          SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA 94089
                    (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (408) 542-2500
         (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
                                  ____________

                                   Copies to:
                          PATRICK J. SCHULTHEIS, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            Professional Corporation
                               650 Page Mill Road
                          Palo Alto, California 94304


======================================================================================================================= Title of Amount Proposed Proposed Amount of Securities to to be Maximum Offering Maximum Aggregate Registration be Registered Registered Price Per Offering Price(1) Fee Share(1) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock, $0.001 par value, per share 480,000 $13.1875 $6,330,000 $1,918.18 =======================================================================================================================
(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 of Regulation C solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The proposed maximum offering price per share with respect to the 480,000 shares reserved for issuance under the 1995 Stock Plan has been estimated to be the average of the high and low price reported in the Nasdaq National Market on October 10, 1997. 2 PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM 3. INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement the following documents and information heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission: (a) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). (b) The Registrant's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 1997 and the quarter ended June 27, 1997 filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. (c) The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated April 6, 1995, filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing such documents. ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES. Not applicable. ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. Not applicable. ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporations Law authorizes a court to award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant, indemnification to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. Article VI of the Company's Bylaws provides for the mandatory indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law, and the Company has entered into agreements with its officers, directors and certain key employees implementing such indemnification. II-1 3 ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED. Not applicable. ITEM 8. EXHIBITS. Exhibit Number ------ 5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, as to the legality of securities being registered. 10.1 1995 Stock Plan, as amended. 23.1 Consent of Independent Accountants. 23.2 Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1). 24.1 Power of Attorney (see page II-4). ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS. (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the Registrant's Bylaws, indemnification agreements, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-2 4 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc., a Delaware corporation, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Sunnyvale, State of California, on October 10, 1997. HARMONIC LIGHTWAVES, INC. By: /s/ Anthony J. Ley ------------------------------------------- Anthony J. Ley, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Anthony J. Ley and Robin N. Dickson, jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- /s/ Anthony J. Ley Chairman of the Board, President and October 10, 1997 ---------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer (Principal (Anthony J. Ley) Executive Officer) /s/ Robin N. Dickson Chief Financial Officer (Principal October 10, 1997 ---------------------------------- Financial and Accounting Officer) (Robin N. Dickson) /s/ E. Floyd Kvamme Director October 10, 1997 ---------------------------------- (E. Floyd Kvamme) /s/ David A. Lane Director October 10, 1997 ---------------------------------- (David A. Lane) /s/ Barry D. Lemieux Director October 10, 1997 ---------------------------------- (Barry D. Lemieux) /s/ Moshe Nazarathy Director October 10, 1997 ---------------------------------- (Moshe Nazarathy) /s/ Michel L. Vaillaud Director October 10, 1997 ---------------------------------- (Michel L. Vaillaud)
II-3 5 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Description - ------------ --------------------------------------------------------- 5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation. 10.1 1995 Stock Plan, as amended. 23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP. 23.2 Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (included in Exhibit 5.1). 24.1 Power of Attorney (See page II-3).
   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1





                                October 10, 1997


Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc.
549 Baltic Way
Sunnyvale, California  94089

         Re:     Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about October 16, 1997
(the "Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 480,000 shares of your Common Stock
under the 1995 Stock Plan, as amended.  Such shares of Common Stock are
referred to herein as the "Shares," and such plan is referred to herein as the
"Plan."  As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined
the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be
taken by you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to
the Plan.

         It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described
in the Plan and pursuant to the agreements which accompany each grant under the
Plan, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever
appearing in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                          Professional Corporation



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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                           HARMONIC LIGHTWAVES, INC.
                                1995 STOCK PLAN
                          (AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1997)


         1.      Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this Stock Plan are:

         -       to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                 positions of substantial responsibility,

         -       to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants,
                 and

         -       to promote the success of the Company's business.

Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory
Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.  Stock
Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.

         2.      Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions shall
                 apply:

                 (a)      "Administrator" means the Board or any of its
Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of
the Plan.

                 (b)      "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements
relating to the administration of stock option plans under state corporate and
securities laws and the Code.

                 (c)      "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                 (d)      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

                 (e)      "Committee"  means a Committee appointed by the Board
in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

                 (f)      "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

                 (g)      "Company" means Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

                 (h)      "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor,
engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services and who is
compensated for such services.  The term "Consultant" shall not include
Directors who are paid only a director's fee by the Company or who are not
compensated by the Company for their services as Directors.

                 (i)      "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant"
means that the employment or consulting relationship with the Company, any
Parent, or Subsidiary, is not interrupted or terminated.  Continuous Status as
an Employee or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in



   2
the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers
between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any
Subsidiary, or any successor.  A leave of absence approved by the Company shall
include sick leave, military leave, or any other personal leave approved by an
authorized representative of the Company.  For purposes of Incentive Stock
Options, no such leave may exceed 90 days, unless reemployment upon expiration
of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract.  If reemployment upon
expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed,
on the 91st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee
shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for
tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

                 (j)      "Director" means a member of the Board.

                 (k)      "Disability" means total and permanent disability as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

                 (l)      "Employee" means any person, including Officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

                 (m)      "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                 (n)      "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value
of Common Stock determined as follows:

                          (i)     If the Common Stock is listed on any
established stock exchange or a national market system, including without
limitation the Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, the Fair Market Value of a
Share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange
(or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) on the
day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                          (ii)    If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ
System (but not on the Nasdaq National Market thereof) or is regularly quoted
by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                          (iii)   In the absence of an established market for
the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by
the Administrator.





                                      -2-
   3
                 (o)      "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

                 (p)      "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not
intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

                 (q)      "Notice of Grant" means a written notice evidencing
certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Purchase Right
grant.  The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

                 (r)      "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the
Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

                 (s)      "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the
Plan.

                 (t)      "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between
the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Option grant.  The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan.

                 (u)      "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby
outstanding options are surrendered in exchange for options with a lower
exercise price.

                 (v)      "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an
Option or Stock Purchase Right.

                 (w)      "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who holds
an outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right.

                 (x)      "Parent" means a "parent corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                 (y)      "Plan" means this Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc. 1995
Stock Plan.

                 (z)      "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock
acquired pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 below.

                 (aa)     "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written
agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and
restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right.  The
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan and the Notice of Grant.





                                      -3-
   4

                 (ab)     "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or
any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised
with respect to the Plan.

                 (ac)     "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                 (ad)     "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as
adjusted in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

                 (ae)     "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase
Common Stock pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of
Grant.

                 (af)     "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation",
whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

         3.      Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of
Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be
optioned and sold under the Plan is 1,045,000 Shares.  The Shares may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

                 If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes
unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant
to an Option Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject
thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless
the Plan has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually
been issued under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall
not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future
distribution under the Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are
repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price, and the original
purchaser of such Shares did not receive any benefits of ownership of such
Shares, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, voting rights shall not be considered a
benefit of Share ownership.

         4.      Administration of the Plan.

                 (a)      Procedure.

                          (i)     Multiple Administrative Bodies.  If permitted
by Rule 16b-3, the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to
Directors, Officers who are not Directors, and Employees who are neither
Directors nor Officers.

                          (ii)    Administration With Respect to Directors and
Officers Subject to Section 16(b).  With respect to Option or Stock Purchase
Right grants made to Employees who are also Officers or Directors subject to
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the
Board, if the Board may administer the Plan in a manner complying with the
rules under





                                      -4-
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Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested administration of employee benefit
plans under which Section 16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards of
equity securities are to be made, or (B) a committee designated by the Board to
administer the Plan, which committee shall be constituted to comply with the
rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested administration of employee
benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards
of equity securities are to be made.  Once appointed, such Committee shall
continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the
Board.  From time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and
appoint additional members, remove members (with or without cause) and
substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and remove all members
of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by the rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested
administration of employee benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt
discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made.

                          (iii)   Administration With Respect to Other Persons.
With respect to Option or Stock Purchase Right grants made to Employees or
Consultants who are neither Directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan
shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a committee designated by the
Board, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.  Once
appointed, such Committee shall serve in its designated capacity until
otherwise directed by the Board.  The Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members, remove members (with or without
cause) and substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and remove
all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all
to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

                 (b)      Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the
provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific
duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have
the authority, in its discretion:

                          (i)     to determine the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2(n) of the Plan;

                          (ii)    to select the Consultants and Employees to
whom Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;

                          (iii)   to determine whether and to what extent
Options and Stock Purchase Rights or any combination thereof, are granted
hereunder;

                          (iv)    to determine the number of shares of Common
Stock to be covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

                          (v)     to approve forms of agreement for use under
the Plan;





                                      -5-
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                          (vi)    to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder.  Such
terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the
time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may
be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option
or Stock Purchase Right or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based
in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion,
shall determine;

                          (vii)   to reduce the exercise price of any Option or
Stock Purchase Right to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
have declined since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted;

                          (viii)  to construe and interpret the terms of the
Plan and awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                          (ix)    to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to
sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment
under foreign tax laws;

                          (x)     to modify or amend each Option or Stock
Purchase Right (subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan), including the
discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of
Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;

                          (xi)    to authorize any person to execute on behalf
of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or
Stock Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator;

                          (xii)   to institute an Option Exchange Program;

                          (xiii)  to determine the terms and restrictions
applicable to Options and Stock Purchase Rights and any Restricted Stock; and

                          (xiv)   to make all other determinations deemed
necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

                 (c)      Effect of Administrator's Decision.  The
Administrator's decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final
and binding on all Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase
Rights.

         5.      Eligibility.  Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase
Rights may be granted to Employees and Consultants.  Incentive Stock Options
may be granted only to Employees.  If





                                      -6-
   7

otherwise eligible, an Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option or
Stock Purchase Right may be granted additional Options or Stock Purchase
Rights.

         6.      Limitations.

                 (a)      Each Option shall be designated in the Notice of
Grant as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate
Fair Market Value:

                          (i)     of Shares subject to an Optionee's Incentive
Stock Options granted by the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, which

                          (ii)    become exercisable for the first time during
any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary)

exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options.  For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be
taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market
Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant.

                 (b)      Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the
Optionee's employment or consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall
they interfere in any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to
terminate such employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or
without cause.

                 (c)      The following limitations shall apply to grants of
Options and Stock Purchase Rights to Employees:

                          (i)     No Employee shall be granted, in any fiscal
year of the Company, Options and Stock Purchase Rights to purchase more than
300,000 Shares.

                          (ii)    The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization
as described in Section 13.

                          (iii)   If an Option or Stock Purchase Right is
canceled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other
than in connection with a transaction described in Section 13), the canceled
Option or Stock Purchase Right will be counted against the limit set forth in
Section 6(c)(i).  For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of
the Option or Stock Purchase Right and the grant of a new Option or Stock
Purchase Right.

         7.      Term of Plan.  Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, the Plan
shall become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board
or its approval by the stockholders of the Company





                                      -7-
   8

as described in Section 19 of the Plan.  It shall continue in effect for a term
of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 15 of the Plan.

         8.      Term of Option.  The term of each Option shall be stated in
the Notice of Grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter
term as may be provided in the Notice of Grant.  Moreover, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from
the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Notice of
Grant.

         9.      Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

                 (a)      Exercise Price.  The per share exercise price for the
Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by
the Administrator, subject to the following:

                          (i)     In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                                  (A)      granted to an Employee who, at the
time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than
ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than
110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                                  (B)      granted to any Employee other than
an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

                          (ii)    In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option,
the per Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator.

                 (b)      Waiting Period and Exercise Dates.  At the time an
Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the
Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be
satisfied before the Option may be exercised.  In so doing, the Administrator
may specify that an Option may not be exercised until the completion of a
service period.

                 (c)      Form of Consideration.  The Administrator shall
determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option,
including the method of payment.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the
Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time
of grant.  Such consideration may consist entirely of:





                                      -8-
   9
                          (i)     cash;

                          (ii)    check;

                          (iii)   promissory note;

                          (iv)    other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which said Option shall be exercised;

                          (v)     delivery of a properly executed exercise
notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the
broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and
delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the
exercise price;

                          (vi)    a reduction in the amount of any Company
liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the
Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program
or arrangement;

                          (vii)   any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment; or

                          (viii)  such other consideration and method of
payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

         10.     Exercise of Option.

                 (a)      Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the
Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the
Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement.

                          An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a
Share.

                          An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company
receives: (i) written notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.  Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by
the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Shares
issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee
or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her
spouse.  Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as
evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly
authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive
dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with





                                      -9-
   10


respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The
Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or
other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock
certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

                          Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the
number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

                 (b)      Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship.
Upon termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant, other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee
may exercise his or her Option, but only within such period of time as is
specified in the Notice of Grant, and only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise it at the date of termination (but in no event later than
the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant).
In the absence of a specified time in the Notice of Grant, the Option shall
remain exercisable for three months following the Optionee's termination of
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant.  In the case of an Incentive
Stock Option, such period of time shall not exceed three months from the date
of termination.  If, at the date of termination, the Optionee is not entitled
to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the
Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.

                 (c)      Disability of Optionee.  In the event that an
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a
result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her
Option at any time within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination,
but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the
date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant).  If, at the date of
termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option,
the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to
the Plan.  If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her
Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

                 (d)      Death of Optionee.  In the event of the death of an
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the
term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to
exercise the Option at the date of death.  If, at the time of death, the
Optionee was not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares
covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall immediately revert to
the Plan.  If, after death, the Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the
right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance





                                      -10-
   11


does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

                 (e)      Rule 16b-3.  Options granted to individuals subject
to Section 16 of the Exchange Act ("Insiders") must comply with the applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional conditions or
restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption
from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to Plan transactions.

         11.     Stock Purchase Rights.

                 (a)      Rights to Purchase.  Stock Purchase Rights may be
issued either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted
under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan.  After the
Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the
Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing, by means of a Notice of Grant, of
the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the
number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to
be paid, and the time within which the offeree must accept such offer, which
shall in no event exceed six (6) months from the date upon which the
Administrator made the determination to grant the Stock Purchase Right.  The
offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
in the form determined by the Administrator.

                 (b)      Repurchase Option.  Unless the Administrator
determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the
Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary
termination of the purchaser's employment with the Company for any reason
(including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased
pursuant to the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the original price
paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of
the purchaser to the Company.  The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate
determined by the Administrator.

                 (c)      Rule 16b-3.  Stock Purchase Rights granted to
Insiders, and Shares purchased by Insiders in connection with Stock Purchase
Rights, shall be subject to any restrictions applicable thereto in compliance
with Rule 16b-3.  An Insider may only purchase Shares pursuant to the grant of
a Stock Purchase Right, and may only sell Shares purchased pursuant to the
grant of a Stock Purchase Right, during such time or times as are permitted by
Rule 16b-3.

                 (d)      Other Provisions.  The Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not
inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its
sole discretion.  In addition, the provisions of Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreements need not be the same with respect to each purchaser.

                 (e)      Rights as a Stockholder.  Once the Stock Purchase
Right is exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of
a stockholder, and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered
upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company.





                                      -11-
   12

No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as
provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

         12.     Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights.  An
Option or Stock Purchase Right may not be sold, pledged, assigned,
hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or
by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

         13.     Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution,
Merger or Asset Sale.

                 (a)      Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required
action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of
shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan
but as to which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or
which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an
Option or Stock Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock
covered by each such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be
proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected
without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that
conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to
have been "effected without receipt of consideration."  Such adjustment shall
be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final,
binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by
the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof
shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock
subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.

                 (b)      Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the
proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an
Option or Stock Purchase Right has not been previously exercised, it will
terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.  The
Board may, in the exercise of its sole discretion in such instances, declare
(i) that any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate as of a date fixed
by the Board and give each Optionee the right to exercise his or her Option or
Stock Purchase Right as to all or any part of the Optioned Stock, including
Shares as to which the Option or Stock Purchase Right would not otherwise be
exercisable, and (ii) that any Restricted Stock held by an Optionee shall
become fully vested as of such date.

                 (c)      Merger or Asset Sale.  In the event of a merger of
the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all
of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right
may be assumed or an equivalent option or right may be substituted by the
successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.
The





                                      -12-
   13

Administrator may, in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide (i) for
the Optionee to have the right to exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right
as to all or a portion of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it
would not otherwise be exercisable, and (ii) for any Restricted Stock held by
an Optionee to become fully vested.  If the Administrator makes an Option or
Stock Purchase Right exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the
event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the
Optionee that the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully exercisable for
a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or
Stock Purchase Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.  For
the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be
considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or
right confers the right to purchase, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject
to the Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale
of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or
property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock
for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders
were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if
such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets was not solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may,
with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to
be received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each
Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be
solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair
market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock
in the merger or sale of assets.

         14.     Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator
makes the determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such
other later date as is determined by the Administrator.  Notice of the
determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after
the date of such grant.

         15.     Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

                 (a)      Amendment and Termination.  The Board may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

                 (b)      Stockholder Approval.  The Company shall obtain
stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and
desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 or with Section 422 of the Code (or any
successor rule or statute or other applicable law, rule or regulation,
including the requirements of any exchange or quotation system on which the
Common Stock is listed or quoted).  Such stockholder approval, if required,
shall be obtained in such a manner and to such a degree as is required by the
applicable law, rule or regulation.

                 (c)      Effect of Amendment or Termination.  No amendment,
alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of
any Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise





                                      -13-
   14
between the Optionee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing
and signed by the Optionee and the Company.

         16.     Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

                 (a)      Legal Compliance.  Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the
exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery
of such Shares shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including,
without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act,
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, Applicable Laws, and the
requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares
may then be listed or quoted, and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

                 (b)      Investment Representations.  As a condition to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the
person exercising such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant
at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for
investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares
if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is
required.

         17.     Liability of Company.

                 (a)      Inability to Obtain Authority.  The inability of the
Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which
authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

                 (b)      Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares.  If the Optioned
Stock covered by an Option or Stock Purchase Right exceeds, as of the date of
grant, the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without
additional stockholder approval, such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be
void with respect to such excess Optioned Stock, unless stockholder approval of
an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan
is timely obtained in accordance with Section 15(b) of the Plan.

         18.     Reservation of Shares.  The Company, during the term of this
Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as
shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.





                                      -14-
   15

         19.     Stockholder Approval.  Continuance of the Plan shall be
subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12)
months before or after the date the Plan is adopted.  Such stockholder approval
shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under applicable
federal and state law.































                                      -15-
   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 21, 1997, which
appears on page 36 of the 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders of Harmonic
Lightwaves, Inc., which is incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1996.



PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Jose, California
October 10, 1997