High performance electronic and electro-optic components supplier GigOptix Inc. and Civcom Devices and Systems Ltd. announced that they have received a US-Israel Bi-national Industrial Research & Development (BIRD) Foundation grant to develop low-power, highly integrated components and modules for next-generation 40 and 100 Gb/s communication systems. The grant will initially help to fund the development of a small form factor (SFF) 40 Gb/s RZ-DQPSK transponder. GigOptix will develop an integrated 40 Gb/s RZ-DQPSK optical modulator and the corresponding broadband amplifiers to drive the modulator while Civcom will develop and manufacture the 40 Gb/s RZ-DQPSK SFF transponder. GigOptix will leverage its thin film polymer on silicion (TFPS) technology to implement the optical modulator in a single package. Currently the optical modulation is implemented using two separate lithium niobate modulators. The company’s newly integrated solution will be significantly smaller. In addition, it will optimize the interoperability between the modulator and the driver to enable reduction in power consumption and overall footprint of the electro-optic transmission system. The size and power reduction will enable Civcom to shrink the size of its transponder to the size of current 10 G transponders. The BIRD Foundation works to encourage cooperation between Israeli and American companies in the various areas of technology, and provides free assistance in locating strategic partners from both countries for developing joint projects. For more information, visit: www.gigoptix.com