19 March 2012

GigOptix shipping production samples of 100Gbps TFPS modulator

GigOptix Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which supplies semiconductor and optical components that enable high-speed end-to-end information streaming over the network) is now shipping production 100Gbps serial Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZM) to European military/aerospace customers.

The LX8901 is a serial 100Gbps DPSK (differential phase-shift keying) MZM implemented using GigOptix’s proprietary Thin Film Polymer on Silicon (TFPS) technology. The device is claimed to be unique in providing optical bandwidth of more than 65GHz with low drive voltage. The LX8901 enables a number of ultra-high-frequency applications in microwave photonics such as antenna remoting, RF beam steering, phased-array radar, ultra-high-frequency signal sampling and mixing that are not viable using other modulator technologies such as indium phosphide and lithium niobate, the firm claims. The compact form factor and large bandwidth further enables systems solutions required in demanding aerospace and other military applications.

“With our recent shipments we are seeing interest for our devices from new markets, especially in microwave photonics and instrumentation and measurement, since the device’s high bandwidth can enable complex high-fidelity signal generation at ultra-high speeds,” says Eric Miller, general manager of GigOptix Bothell.

Tags: GigOptix TFPS modulator

Visit: www.gigoptix.com