Oct 28 2010
GigOptix, Inc. (OTCBB:GGOX), a leading supplier of high performance electronic and electro-optic components that enable next generation 40G and 100G optical networks, today announced that it has chosen Innovative Micro Technology, Inc. (IMT) as its optical chip fabrication partner.
The Company is now in the process of transferring production of its disruptive TFPS™ optical modulator chips to IMT in expectation of volume production ramping in 2011. The TFPS modulator chips are designed internally, will be manufactured at IMT using GigOptix’ proprietary and protected electro-optical polymer material and packaged externally by the Company’s high volume contract manufacturer in Shenzhen, China as recently announced to provide customers with not only the highest performing product at a very cost competitive price, but also a very scalable supply chain to support their production requirements.
GigOpitix' proprietary TFPS technology is used in the manufacture of 40G and 100G Mach-Zehnder (MZ) optical modulator chips for telecom applications. The modulator chip fabrication process uses a production flow that is compatible with industry standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques. GigOptix’ highly differentiated TFPS technology lowers power consumption by more than 20% compared with competing modulator technologies, such as Lithium Niobate, and also enables significantly smaller modulators that easily fit into industry standard 3.5" by 4.5" small form factor 300pin transponders.
“We are very pleased to have reached the process maturity level with our TFPS technology to partner with IMT to transfer production of our modulator chips from our internal pilot fab to the high volume production site at IMT,” said Raluca Dinu, Vice President & General Manager of GigOptix Bothell. “IMT will provide GigOptix with an established, high quality, high volume and cost efficient manufacturing site that has been industry proven in the mass production of optical devices. Furthermore, we plan to bring our full family of modulator chips to production at IMT to address various modulation formats, such as 40G DPSK, 40G RZ-DQPSK and 100G DP-QPSK being demanded by the telecom communication market. These steps are in line with our stated strategy of being a fabless solutions provider. ”
”We are excited to partner with GigOptix in bringing a truly disruptive technology to market," stated John Foster, CEO of IMT. "IMT has a long history of developing and volume producing complex MEMS products. Because we are able to leverage our experience and existing process modules, we are in a great position for transferring GigOptix’ technology into our site in the shortest time possible. We look forward to assisting GigOptix to bring this first generation and future generations of its TFPS modulator products to the communications industry.”
Source: http://www.gigoptix.com/