aXenic and Optocap partner to develop Innovative Low Loss Microwave Interconnect for GaAs Modulators
aXenic Ltd and Optocap Ltd have won a competition for a 12-month collaborative research project awarded by Innovate UK under the recent Compound Semiconductor Applications fund.
The aim of the Innovate UK fund is to speed up the use of compound semiconductors in areas such as power electronics, RF/microwave, photonics and sensors.
In this project: the partners aim to develop a novel low loss microwave interconnect assembly process, so as much of the intrinsic compound semiconductor chip performance can be achieved in the packaged module as possible. The new assembly process is expected to be applicable to a wide range of compound semiconductor devices and not just the high-speed photonic modulators based on Gallium Arsenide produced by aXenic.
Steve Clements, CEO of aXenic, commented “the new assembly process will allow us to realise optical modulators with reliable broadband performance above 50GHz, which compares to constraints of around 40GHz with conventional processes”. Such high performance, high reliability optical modulators are required for demanding applications in satellite communications and in aerospace markets where photonic systems are prized for their high bandwidth, small size and lower weight than conventional electronics.
aXenic have extensive experience in GaAs optical modulators which they have developed over many years for application in fibre optical telecommunication systems. aXenic currently offer a range of optical modulators for digital communications and RF over fibre.
Optocap Limited, owned by the Alter Technology Group TUV Nord S.A.U., is a technology oriented company active in the field of optoelectronics & microelectronics package design and assembly services. Optocap offer a full design and assembly of custom Photonic products and is experienced in harsh environment applications, specifically the Space sector. Optocap has 34 staff all based at the Livingston facility in the UK.
Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. It works with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy. For further information visit: Innovate Uk
