GigOptix Buys Helix

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Palo Alto based GigOptix LLC announced today that they have acquired Helix Semiconductors, based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Through this merger, GigOptix becomes the only company to offer a complete family of high speed optical Physical Media Dependent (PMD) ICs. The portfolio will include modulator drivers, laser drivers and TIAs for telecom, datacom, Infiniband and consumer optical systems, from 3.125G-100G, covering all laser technologies.

By merging the two teams and portfolios, GigOptix also will have the ability to combine serial and parallel capability to aggressively address current generation of 10G as well as next generation 40G and 100G datacom and telecom applications with cost-effective solutions. GigOptix will focus on creating a range of high speed, high performance parallel and serial devices and expects to launch a number of new products in 2008 leveraging the combined teams experience. With this portfolio, the company expects to provide a high degree of value, one stop shopping, and best in class solutions for today’s high volume applications and tomorrow’s next generation 100Gb/s communication systems.

Corporations and consumers insatiable demand for internet based services and storage is driving the ever increasing need for network bandwidth. Bottlenecks in the datacenters limit the capability of companies to maintain service levels. Service providers and consumers enjoyment of the services facilitated by higher speed networks are limited by this squeeze. The need for ever growing bandwidth in datacenters and telecom networks is becoming urgent as demonstrated by the cross industry endeavor to accelerate availability of technology under the IEEE High Speed Study Group. The acquisition of Helix Semiconductors enables GigOptix to quickly develop high speed, high performance parallel PMD solutions such as 10x10G and 4x25G devices to be used in 100G transponders. These arrays will enable enhancement of highly manufacturable and cost effective solutions.

Combining Helix strength of compact and resilient designs with GigOptix strength on high performance, high bandwidth optical amplifiers and drivers puts the merged company in a unique position in the market. It will enable the company to deliver high quality, high value products for the fastest growing segments such as: datacom for enterprise datacenters, active cables, interconnection for high speed computers, tunable transponders and DWDM. In these applications the integration of transmitters and receiver arrays are needed to reduce the solution’s size and cost .

“It is an excellent match as we are complimentary in so many ways.” said Dr. Joerg Wieland, Chairman of the Board, CEO and Founder of Helix Semiconductors AG, “Most of our customers are in Asia, whereas GigOptix has a stronger presence in Europe and US. We are expert in very-short-reach and parallel versus GigOptix success in long haul serial devices, Also we have many years experience in silicon versus their expertise in compound semiconductors. I believe we will find many more areas that will provide outstanding synergy as we merge the companies. We are all very excited to leverage a greater economy of scale, allowing us to provide more value to our customers through a richer and more cost effective portfolio of products”

GigOptix Inc. (OTC: GGOX)