Innovate UK win - May 2017

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: www.innovateuk.gov.uk  

News article

24th Nov 2016

From the Northern Echo:

A thriving technology cluster has developed in Durham in recent years and it is the strength of that like minded community which has been key to the success of aXenic, a company producing high-speed modulators for the telecoms markets.

Farnborough Air show 2016

22nd June 2016

 aXenic exhibiting at the Farnborough International Airshow

 ​aXenic will be presenting their GaAs optical modulator technology and products in collaboration with the North West Aerospace Alliance in Hall 1 on Stand B140 from the 11th to the 17th of July 2016. Please come by our booth to discuss your needs based on our standard products or any custom requirements you may have for radio over fibre or optical communication and networks in space and aerospace applications. 

ECOC 2016

24th Sept 2015

 aXenic will be represented at ECOC​.

 One of our devices will be demostrated on the Tektronix stand (Stand 435​​)

Bibliography

A little Light Reading

A more detailed description of GaAs modulators and their properties has been published by Rob Walker of aXenic in a recent book: Broadband Optical Modulators.​​

This is a link to the book in the Google books project ​

Press Release Sept/2015

aXenic Acquires High Speed Optical Modulator Business

Sedgefield, County Durham, United Kingdom. aXenic today announced that it has acquired Finisar UK Ltd and its Optical Modulator business for an undisclosed sum from its parent company Finisar Germany, which is part of the Finisar Corporation. aXenic, whose shareholders include the Management and Employees of Finisar UK, plans to address wider markets than the telecom business which was the focus of its activity as part of Finisar.

With its largely UK based supply chain, aXenic offers Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) based modulators for telecom markets >100G and high bandwidth, high frequency and high linearity products aimed at 40GHz and above. It will continue to develop its business with support of European collaborative projects which are aimed in particular at the high frequency and analogue business markets. The experience and capabilities of the business go back over 20 years with background in product offerings in both telecom and analogue markets and delivery of both GaAs and Indium Phosphide (InP) based products.

“We are really excited about the prospects of the new operating business with the opportunity to broaden our market access and interests for the developing business in highest speed and high bandwidth modulator products” said Steve Clements the CEO of aXenic. “We look forward to engaging with our customers in this area to offer high performance yet cost effective functions in a growing business.”

About aXenic:

aXenic’s technology was originally developed as part of the semiconductor business within Filtronic and was acquired by u2t Photonics in 2009. Last year u2t was itself acquired by Finisar Corporation. aXenic’s products and expertise covers semiconductor modulator design, optical and high speed test and optical packaging. It uses a subcontract route to product build and its product platform is supported by its established and developing patent portfolio.