GigOptix books $1.8M order for 100G coherent drivers

GigOptix, Inc. (OTCQX:GGOX) says it has scored a major design win with a Tier 1 systems customer, which has booked a $1.8 million purchase order for the vendor’s 100G Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) quad-driver. The customer, whose identity GigOptix did not reveal, will receive a customized version of the GX62451 for use in a 100G DWDM networking system.

The $1.8 million order will be delivered during the first quarter of 2012, while subsequent, similar orders will continue through 2012, the company adds.

GigOptix says its GX62451 100G dual-polarization quadrature phase-shift keying (DP-QPSK) driver is a high-performance four-channel MZM driver designed for 100G long-haul optical transmitters. The GX62451 is GPPO connectorized and is plug-in compatible with industry-standard 100G multiplexers and MZMs. Its small form factor design featuring embedded high-speed connectors not only ensures optimal RF coupling with the 100G MZM inputs but also occupies less board-level real estate than comparable surface-mounted devices, GigOptix asserts.

In its recent optical components report, Ovum identified 100G as the fastest growing segment within optical communications with a compound annual growth rate of 107%.

"With this significant order, deliverable in the first quarter of 2012, we see clear confirmation of the accelerating deployment of 100G systems by the industry," stated Padraig O'Mathuna, vice president of marketing at GigOptix. "These systems are addressing the exploding bandwidth demands being generated by the adoption of smartphones and cloud-based services by consumers. We expect to see accelerating demand for our driver solutions in 2012 and the 100G market to be a major growth engine for our company going forward."

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