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GigOptix Approved to Receive $5 Million in Federal Funding for Its On-Chip Integrated Photonic Polymer Transceiver by U.S. Sena

^{Published on 2010-09-21 06:10:42 - Market Wire}
 

BOTHELL, Wash.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--GigOptix Inc. (OTCBB:GGOX), a leading supplier of high performance electronic and electro-optic components that enable next generation 40G and 100G fiber-optic telecommunications and data-communications networks, proudly announces the continued federal support of its On-Chip Integrated Photonic Polymer Transceiver program. U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a tireless advocate for Washington businesses, helped to secure $5 million as part of the fiscal year 2011 Department of Defense Appropriations bill recently passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee. This appropriation bill must still receive approval by the United States Senate and the final legislation must be passed by the Congress and signed by the President.

This federal support will allow GigOptix to qualify its Thin Film Polymer on Silicon (TFPS) modulators to the stringent temperature stability required by military standards. Additionally, GigOptix will begin designing and testing the second iteration of the integrated driver with the polymer optical modulator on a standard BiCMOS wafer and completing the integration of the receiver side on separate chips, all for the next generation 400Gbps optical communication systems. Current technologies are physically too large and energy-intensive to sustain the anticipated levels of bandwidth growth in the coming years. This funding will accelerate important development into faster, smaller, and more energy efficient power and communications systems to provide accurate, timely information that will enable the military to maintain its edge in communications technology.

Dr. Raluca Dinu, Vice President and General Manager of GigOptix Bothell said, "GigOptix is the industry leader of high performance electro-optic polymer solutions, both for active and passive applications as stand-alone hybrid products as well as monolithic integrated layers onto Integrated Circuits (ICs). Because of the support of Senator Murray, we are able to push forward with critical research on ultra broadband, low power communications systems that help the military maintain its superiority. The U.S. Air Force and the United States Government are looking for solutions to the growing problems of speed, size, integration, weight and power of current technologies. The additional funding support demonstrates confidence in GigOptix' technology as a solution for their high speed network communication needs."

Dr. Avi Katz, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of GigOptix, stated, "The vision and leadership displayed by Senator Murray in her continuous securing of this funding will not only help provide the men and women in the Armed Services with the technology they require, but it will also support GigOptixa™ efforts to sustain our development efforts and create new jobs. With this meaningful funding, GigOptix will enhance its work force in our development center in Bothell, thus enabling new job opportunities for highly educated and skillful American scientists, engineers and developers. Continuous funding support by the U.S. Government has been a key contributor to GigOptixa™ efforts to build a successful high-tech endeavor over the last 3 years. This funding is an enabling financial engine that allows us to drive forward our strategic plans and continue to develop and establish GigOptix as a global industry leader in the high speed optical communications arena."

About GigOptix, Inc.

GigOptix is a leading supplier of high performance electronic and electro-optic components that enable next generation 40G and 100G fiber-optic telecommunications and data-communications networks. The Company offers a broad portfolio of high speed electronic devices including polymer electro-optic modulators, modulator drivers, laser drivers and receiver amplifiers for telecom, datacom, Infiniband and consumer optical systems, covering serial and parallel communication technologies from 1G to 100G. GigOptix also offers the widest range of mixed-signal and RF ASIC solutions in the market including Standard Cell, Hybrid and Structured ASICs targeting the Consumer, Industrial, Defense & Avionics industries. For more information, please visit [ http://www.GigOptix.com ].

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including any statement that refers to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and those which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects," "plans," "may," "should," "believes" or "anticipates" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, which might cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include those risks described in GigOptix' periodic reports filed with the SEC, and in news releases and other communications. GigOptix disclaims any intention or duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this release.