Infinera Buys Big Bear EDC

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Infinera, the leader in Digital Optical Networking, has acquired Big Bear Networks’ electronic dispersion compensation assets, including intellectual property, for telecommunications networks.

Infinera already uses Big Bear’s electronic dispersion compensation solutions in the Infinera DTN system. Digital Optical Networking gives service providers additional flexibility, reduced costs, and the ability to offer additional revenue-generating services throughout their network. Electronic dispersion compensation is one of the features of the Infinera DTN system. Infinera exploits the power of electronics by offering other advanced electronic capabilities such as 100 gigabit per second processing and high-gain forward error correction (FEC) on every DTN system. Future versions of Big Bear’s dispersion compensation solutions will be developed at Infinera and integrated into Infinera ASICs.

Based in Sunnyvale, CA, Big Bear Networks was a venture-backed startup focused on electronic dispersion compensation solutions for optical networks. Dispersion compensation solutions correct for impairments in the optical signal caused by fiber imperfection or other irregularities.

“We have been working with Big Bear for quite some time. We brought their technology in-house because it complements many of the features and functionality our ASIC team has developed,” said Dave Welch, Infinera Chief Strategy Officer. “In addition to developing the first large-scale photonic integrated circuits ever deployed in telecom networks, we have been aggressively developing silicon-based integrated circuits to fully exploit the space, power, and reliability benefits of increased integration offered by Digital Optical Networking.”

Big Bear Networks produced and marketed its electronic dispersion compensation solutions in IC form and in transponder form for both the carrier and enterprise markets. In a separate transaction, Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) has purchased the transponder-level assets of Big Bear. Infinera has sold the assets relating to dispersion compensation for multimode fiber transceivers, used primarily in enterprise networks, to another party. Infinera retains all the assets, including intellectual property, for electronic dispersion compensation for single-mode fiber networks, used primarily in telecommunications networks.

“The Infinera DTN system is the top choice for carriers who are looking for the most economical way to deliver scalable and flexible bandwidth at many points on their network,” said Jagdeep Singh, Infinera CEO. “We made this acquisition because we saw an opportunity to enhance the features and cost-effectiveness we can offer our customers.”

Infinera Inc.