GigOptix announces sampling of LX8240 100G coherent TFPS optical modulator

SAN JOSE, USA: GigOptix Inc. has begun sampling the LX8240, a 100G Dual Polarity Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DP-QPSK) Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM), based on GigOptix’s proprietary Thin Film Polymer on Silicon (TFPS) technology.

The addition of the LX8240 MZM strengthens GigOptix’s position in the fast growing 100G DWDM market and adds to GigOptix’s industry leading portfolio of 100G drivers and Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs). In its recent optical components report, Ovum identified 100G as the fastest growing segment within optical communications with a CAGR of 107 percent.

Introduced in time for the market takeoff and customer selection of optimized components for the new generation transponders, the LX8240 benefits include its ultra-small form factor, low insertion loss and low power consumption making it ideal for its use in metro, long-haul, and ultra-long haul optical transport applications. This modulator leverages GigOptix's proprietary and disruptive TFPS technology to bringing to customers low power consumption in the smallest footprint modulator available in the market.

Dr. Raluca Dinu, GM and VP of the Optics Product Line at GigOptix, stated: “Our TFPS technology modulator enables the high performance demanded by 100G coherent applications within a small form factor with very low power consumption. 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.”

The LX8240 engineering samples are manufactured on GigOptix’s production line at Sanmina-SCI in Shenzhen, China and are available for sampling now. “GigOptix’s 100G optical modulator solution is based on groundbreaking technology,” said Dave Dutkowsky, executive VP of Sanmina-SCI’s Communications Networks Division. “We’re excited to have partnered with GigOptix to industrialize this leading-edge technology. 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.”