Emcore buys gyroscope specialist Phasebridge
Materials, component and optical system supplier Emcore has acquired the Californian company Phasebridge, which specializes in fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOGs) used in applications such as weapons and aerospace guidance.
The FOGs made by Phasebridge are based around a superluminescent LED chip manufactured on InP.
As well as gyroscopes, Phasebridge also makes multi-chip optical modules for applications such as RF delivery over optical fiber links, RF frequency synthesis and terahertz spectroscopy.
The Pasadena-based firm will be integrated into Emcore's Ortel division, which was formerly part of the Agere Systems optoelectronics business and is based near Phasebridge's current location in Alhambra, CA. Emcore acquired Ortel from Agere in early 2003.
"Ortel will [now] be able to offer a broad set of component and subsystem solutions in the FOG, RF, microwave and terahertz markets for a wide range of applications," said Hong Hou, VP and general manager of Ortel.
Earlier this year, Phasebridge introduced a prototype three-axis FOG transceiver that it developed for the US Navy.
The prototype transceiver was said to be the first in the industry to integrate all three axes into a single package.
