GigOptix and Fraunhofer-HHI Announce Strategic Partnership to Develop Production Ready Reference Pla

GigOptix and Fraunhofer-HHI Announce Strategic Partnership to Develop Production Ready Reference Platform of 100Gbps Coherent Polymer-based Transceiver for CFP and CFP2 Applications

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GigOptix, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GIG), a leading supplier of advanced semiconductor and optical communications components, and Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, a leading polymer technology and communication systems research institute, today announced a strategic partnership to commence a fully integrated production-ready reference platform to enable volume production of 100Gbps form factor Pluggable CFP and CFP2 optical transceiver modules for 100Gbps coherent telecom applications such as 100Gbps DP-QPSK, based on GigOptix's active polymer modulator technology (TFPS^TM).

The highly-integrated CFP and CFP2 modules represent the next generation of System-In-Package (SIP) optical transceivers. The SIP modules will contain an integrated polymer Transmit Optical Sub-Assembly (TOSA), using the GigOptix TFPS modulator chip, and an integrated Receive Optical Sub-Assembly (ROSA). The integrated TOSA SIP will be available initially with GigOptix GX62455 100Gbps quad driver with further integration plans in development. GigOptix has formed fully owned subsidiary GigOptix GmbH, as a key integration center working closely with Fraunhofer HHI and other regional partners.

"We are honored to partner with Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute to advance the deployment of polymer technology in the high growth 100Gbps coherent market," said Dr. Raluca Dinu, General Manager and Vice President of the Optics Product Line at GigOptix, Inc. "This partnership combines the best 100Gbps polymer technology into CFP and CFP2 packages. The Thin Film Polymer on Silicon (TFPS) technology that we have developed provides a foundation for smaller System-In-Package (SIP) optical transceivers. The combination of the tunable laser from Fraunhofer HHI, and the optical modulator from GigOptix, advances the next generation of optical transceiver SIPs based on our TFPS technology."

"Fraunhofer HHI is pleased to partner with GigOptix on the development of advanced 100Gbps integrated tunable transceivers," said Dr. Martin Schell, Department Head Photonic Components of HHI. "We believe that both the InP and the electro-optic polymer modulator technology will find their respective niches in the applications space. Integration of GigOptix' electro-optic polymer modulator together with HHI's passive polymer toolbox functionalities in an industry standard module provides a compelling solution, both in terms of power and size. We feel that the partnership with GigOptix provides excellent optical synergy and represents the best path to commercialize our polymer technology."

Ovum in its recent report on Optical Components stated that the 100Gbps DWDM line side with tunable laser market will grow from 7 thousand units in 2013 to over 53 thousand units in 2017, representing a compound annual growth rate of 64%.¹

GigOptix is now shipping advanced engineering samples of its LX8240 polymer modulators for 100Gbps coherent telecommunications for customer's evaluation and qualification. Engineering samples of the GLX1000 are expected to be available as early as the first quarter of 2014. Orders can be placed through sales@gigoptix.com. GigOptix will participate in the OFC/NFOEC show (booth #3113), taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center, March 17-21, 2013.

¹ Ovum "40G and 100G OC Forecast Spreadsheet: 2012-17," August 28, 2012

About GigOptix, Inc.

GigOptix is a leading fabless supplier of semiconductor and optical components that enable high speed information streaming that address emerging high growth opportunities in the communications, industrial, defense and avionics industries. The Company offers a broad portfolio of high performance MMIC solutions that enable next generation wireless microwave systems up to 90GHz and drivers, TIAs and TFPS^TM optical modulators for 40Gbps and 100Gbps fiber-optic telecommunications and data-communications networks. GigOptix also offers a wide range of digital and mixed-signal ASIC solutions and enables product lifetime extension through its GigOptix Sunset Rescue Program.

About Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute

Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute was founded in 1928 and is engaged as a pioneer in the field of optical telecommunications. Fraunhofer HHI is part of the Fraunhofer Association, which has 18,000 employees and a revenue of USD $2.5B. HHI is leading research institute in the field of Mobile Broadband Communications, Photonic Networks/Components, and Electronic Imaging for Multimedia located in Berlin. The Photonic Component Department with about 90 employees is a know-how leader in optochips for high end data transmission.

Media:
GigOptix, Inc.
Josh Nakaska, 408-522-3172
Marketing Director
jnakaska@gigoptix.com
or
Investor Relations:
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Jim Fanucchi, 408-404-5400
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