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Molex, Inc., which specializes in high-speed interconnectivity solutions, has acquired Luxtera’s Active Optical Cable (AOC) business. Molex (News - Alert) delivers complete interconnect solutions for the data communications, telecommunications, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, medical, military, lighting and solar markets.

Luxtera specializes in Silicon CMOS Photonics and it is expected to transfer all aspects of its existing and future AOC business to Molex including current QSFP+ (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable) 40Gbps Ethernet and InfiniBand products and customers.

According to Molex sourcesm the acquisition adds QSFP active optical cables to Molex’s portfolio of active optical connectivity products. An exclusive agreement will be drawn for Luxtera to develop and supply advanced chip-sets for future Molex products that are based on Luxtera’s silicon photonics technology. This will also include next generation 14Gbps and four channel 25Gbps products for the 100Gbps Ethernet and InfiniBand markets.

The agreement entails the companies to work collaboratively on future products to provide customers with leading edge interconnect solutions at 10Gbps, 14Gbps, 25Gbps, and faster data rates.

Doug Busch, vice president and general manager of Molex’s Global Fiber Optic Products Group, said in a release that this strategic acquisition will help Molex serve the global fiber optic assemblies market more effectively.

“The acquisition of Luxtera’s AOC business immediately adds QSFP+ 40Gbps products to our existing portfolio and further contributes to our tradition of innovation for our customers, allowing them to deliver high performance products,” Busch added.

Molex will be partnering with Luxtera on future AOC development projects because the combination of Molex’s interconnect capabilities, and Luxtera’s long reach, low power and low bit error rate optical solutions will enhance photonics integration and performance, explained official sources.

Greg Young, CEO of Luxtera, said that this new partnership served the strategic direction and long term goals of both companies.

Young stated, “This agreement is a milestone validating the growing commercial significance of Silicon Photonics. Luxtera will continue to accelerate its growth by focusing on our core Silicon Photonics technology platform, while at the same time expanding the reach of our technology to global markets and customers. Partnering with Molex will help us to bring the benefits of Silicon Photonics to customers worldwide.”