In its latest move to strengthen its position in the telecommunications market, Uniphase Corp. of San Jose, Calif., acquired Broadband Communications Products Inc. The Melbourne, Fla.-based company develops and manufactures high-performance fiber optic transmitters and receivers and test instrumentation for manufacturers of telecommunications systems. It will operate under the name Uniphase Broadband Products. The firm's high-speed, high-bandwidth fiber optics product line is designed to extend the reach of transmissions in local access and metropolitan networks. The merger involved an exchange of company stock and $5.5 million in transaction fees. Broadband Communications Products has 79 employees, including 25 involved in R&D and engineering.