Integrated optical communications provider, Effect Photonics, has acquired the Coherent Optical Digital Signal Processing business unit from Viasat, a global communications company.
The purchase will see Effect obtain coherent optical digital signal processing (DSP) and forward error correction (FEC) technology as well as an experienced engineering team from Viasat.
Viasat is a long-established player in DSP and FEC technology. With eight generations of design IP, they have a proven track record of delivering successful field deployments.
From this acquisition, Effect Photonics will now own the entire coherent technology stack of all optical functions, including a high-performance tuneable laser, together with DSP and FEC. This will enable the company to deliver on its ambition to make high performance coherent communications solutions widely accessible and affordable.
Furthermore, it will enable longer term economic and environmentally sustainable communications due to the ability to deliver high-end performance and reach within a small footprint and with lower power consumption. This opens the way to drive coherent technology into new places, revolutionizing the way the world interconnects.
Effect Photonics has also secured an additional $20M in Series-C funding bringing the total to $63M. Additionally, pursuant to the DSP acquisition agreement, Viasat will be joining Effects’ supervisory board and hold a minority interest in the company.
'With all the recent changes in the industry landscape, this means that Effect Photonics is the only independent vendor able to deliver both the active optical components and the DSP. This will offer the market more choice and the ability to source superior solutions,' said James Regan, CEO at Effect Photonics.
Russell Fuerst, business area leader and vice president, Viasat, added: 'Given the trend of the fibre optic communications industry towards consolidation to provide vertically integrated end-to-end solutions, we believe that combining Viasat’s assets and capabilities with the unique integrated photonics capabilities of Effect Photonics will create substantially more market opportunities and better products.'
