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GigOptix Inc. has begun sampling their LX8220, a 40G Thin Film Polymer on Silicon (TFPS) Mach-Zehnder Modulator that is necessary for Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DQPSK) modulation.

GigOptix supplies high performance electronic and electro-optic components that are required in next generation 40G and 100G fiber-optic telecommunications and data-communications networks.

Dr. Raluca Dinu, GigOptix’s Vice President and General Manager of GigOptix-Bothell, said in a release, “After the successful launch of our first productized TFPS modulator, the LX8401, we are striving ahead with our planned roadmap with the sampling release of our LX8220. By using a successful Mach-Zehnder modulator production flow, we were able to bring this product to the market quickly and we look to build upon these successes to further our disruption of the market.”

Ovum (News - Alert) revealed in a report that the 40G DQPSK DWDM market will grow to reach 68,000 units by 2015 with a CAGR of 66 percent. The successful deployment of the LX8401 encouraged GigOptix to launch the LX8220 leveraging its strong position in the 40G DQPSK market.

Describing the features of the LX8220, company officials said that the modulator is of small form factor, consumes less power and is designed for use in 40G metro, long-haul and ultra long haul optical transport applications. Also the modulator is based on GigOptix’s proprietary and disruptive TFPS technology.

According to a TMCnet report, in 2010 GigOptix started shipping its GX3440 45G differential limiting amplifiers designed for 40G DPSK and 40G DQPSK telecom receivers. These amplifiers can be used in optical communications systems and numerous instrumentation applications. The differential limiting amplifiers offer signals as low as +/-25 mVpp and the differential can be amplified up to 0.7 Vpp.

The portfolio of high speed electronic devices offered by the company includes polymer electro-optic modulators, modulator drivers, laser drivers and receiver amplifiers. These products find applications in sectors like telecom, datacom, Infiniband and consumer optical systems that need serial and parallel communication technologies from 1G to 100G.

GigOptix also specializes in supplying various mixed-signal and RF ASIC solutions including Standard Cell, Hybrid and Structured ASICs targeting the consumer, industrial, defense and avionics industries.