GigOptix Announces Samples of LX8400, 40G DPSK Mach-Zehnder Modulator
GigOptix Releases LX8400 Engineering Samples: The Smallest Available 40G DPSK Mach-Zehnder Modulator
GigOptix Inc. (OTCBB:GGOX), today announced the availability of samples of the LX8400, its 40G DPSK Mach-Zehnder modulator, using its proprietary Electro-Optical (EO) polymer technology and manufactured at a qualified telecom contract manufacturer.
The LX8400 is the first EO polymer Mach-Zehnder modulator that has been designed with volume manufacturing in mind. The device targets the fast growing telecom market’s 40G ultra-long-haul segment and competes favorably with existing technologies, such as Lithium Niobate, in terms of performance. Ovum’s most recent Optical Component Forecast reports that 40G modulators will be the fastest growing segment of the telecom modulator market, growing at a 42% CAGR from $13M in 2009 to $105M in 2014.
GigOptix’s Electro-Optic polymer technology offers significant advantages over the existing crystalline semiconductor technologies used today. These include: simpler manufacturing, larger bandwidth, smaller form factor, lower weight, lower drive voltages and immunity to radiation which is particularly important for defense and aerospace markets. GigOptix also has carried out full thermal stability and FIT characterization of the product and is now in the process of aggressively reducing the device costs.
Key features of the LX8400 include:
- Package length of 56mm excluding fiber boots
- Overall length with fiber boots is 30% shorter than equivalent devices
- Insertion loss of less than 6.5dB
- Bandwidth greater than 32GHz
- Vpi of less than 4.0Vpp
- Extinction ratio of 20dB
“We are delighted to release this first generation of mass producible electro-optic polymer modulators to customers,” said Dr. Raluca Dinu, Vice President and General Manager of GigOptix-Bothell business unit. “We now have the product that will enable our customers to validate the operation of electro-optical polymer modulators in telecom systems and we plan to move towards mass production in 2010.”
“This is just the first part that we are readying for the telecom market. The small form factor of the LX8400 will enable our customers to create very compact 300 pin transponder designs. We are working on a number of other devices to ensure we offer a continually improving portfolio to our telecom customer base,” comments Padraig O’Mathuna, Direct of Product Marketing for GigOptix. “In addition to the 40G telecommunications segment, which is ramping up now, we see exciting new opportunities for this technology in other markets such as RF photonics used in radar and wireless systems.”
LX8400 engineering samples are available immediately. Please contact sales@gigoptix.com for datasheets, samples and pricing.
About GigOptix Inc.
GigOptix is a leading fabless manufacturer of electronic engines for the optically connected digital world. The Company offers a broad portfolio of high speed electronic devices including polymer electro-optic modulators, modulator drivers, laser drivers and TIAs for telecom, datacom, Infiniband and consumer optical systems, covering serial and parallel communication technologies from 1G to 120G. For more information, please visit www.GigOptix.com.
