16 February 2012

GigOptix expands 100G DP-QPSK portfolio by sampling coherent TFPS MZ modulator

GigOptix Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which supplies semiconductor and optical components including modulator and laser drivers and transimpedance amplifier ICs based on III-V materials) has begun sampling the LX8240, a 100G dual-polarity quadrature phase-shift keying (DP-QPSK) Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) based on the firm’s proprietary Thin Film Polymer on Silicon (TFPS) technology.

GigOptix reckons that the addition of the LX8240 MZM strengthens its position in the fast-growing 100G DWDM market, adding to its portfolio of 100G drivers and transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs). In its recent optical components report, market research firm Ovum identified 100G as the fastest-growing segment within optical communications, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 107%.

Introduced in time for the market takeoff and customer selection of optimized components for the new-generation transponders, the LX8240 features ultra-small form factor, low insertion loss and low power consumption, suiting use in metro, long-haul and ultra-long haul optical transport applications, says GigOptix. The modulator leverages GigOptix's proprietary TFPS technology to yield low power consumption in what is claimed to be the smallest-footprint modulator on the market.

“Our TFPS technology modulator enables the high performance demanded by 100G coherent applications within a small form factor with very low power consumption,” says Dr Raluca Dinu, general manager & VP of the Optics Product Line. “The continuous consumer-generated demand for more bandwidth is forcing operators to upgrade to next-generation 100G networks, and we believe that the LX8240 addresses customers’ needs to shrink the size and power of their solutions without compromising on performance.”

LX8240 engineering samples are manufactured on GigOptix’s production line at Sanmina-SCI in Shenzhen, China and are available for sampling now. “Our comprehensive engineering expertise and experience coupled with Sanmina-SCI’s end-to-end supply chain solutions enable us to partner with GigOptix and bring these complex products to market quickly,” says Dave Dutkowsky, executive VP of Sanmina-SCI’s Communications Networks Division.

GigOptix is also offering the TFPS modulator chips for evaluation by customers and integration into customized modules.

Tags: GigOptix TFPS MZ modulator

Visit: www.gigoptix.com