SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Infinera has acquired Little Optics, an innovator in planar lightwave circuits, to add additional pioneering technology to the Infinera Digital Optical Networking architecture.

Based in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, Little Optics has pioneered the development of integrated optical devices using planar lightwave technology and proprietary glass materials to deliver photonic integration that is designed to be superior to traditional planar lightwave technology. Little Optics’ passive integration techniques are in the development stage, and complement Infinera’s active large-scale photonic integration based on indium phosphide.

“The Infinera DTN system is designed to deliver significant benefits to customers in terms of size, weight, power consumption, and scalability. Integration has enabled Infinera to develop the digital architecture which is designed to be more flexible, simpler, and quicker to deploy” said Infinera Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Dave Welch. “When integrated into our product, we believe that Little Optics’ technology will bring new capabilities and significant benefits to our photonic integrated circuits and will enable us to enhance the features and capabilities of our Digital Optical Networks.”

Infinera Corp. (Nasdaq: INFN)