Through this relationship, Fraunhofer CMI said it will provide automation and packaging research and development project support to companies that have received Beacon Telco funds. In addition, both Beacon Telco and Fraunhofer CMI will collaborate to commercialize intellectual property originating at Fraunhofer CMI in new ventures.
"In today's broadband communications market, the cost of optical components is one of the key issues slowing the deployment of optics," said Alok Prasad, President of Beacon Telco. "The cost driver is the lack of automated assembly. Today optical packaging and assembly is at the stage where electronics assembly was 25 years ago and is in need of package standardization and stability standards."
Fraunhofer has significant experience in designing and supplying automation solutions for the manufacture of fiber optic components. Fraunhofer plans to work closely with Beacon portfolio companies to ensure that manufacturability and cost issues are addressed early in the product development phase.
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