CALIENT Raises $27 Million for MEMS-based Optical Switch

CALIENT Technologies announced a $27 million round of venture financing for its optical switching technology, which is based on its patented deep-silicon plasma etch process that is used to make 3D MEMS mirrors.

Calient's 320-port (full duplex) S320 is a MEMS-based optical switch that connects top-of-rack switches in a data center. The OpenFlow API runs on the S320’s MEMS Switching Module (MSM), a high-availability switching and control subsystem with redundant control processors and a Linux-based operating system.

The funding came from a combination of new and existing investors, and will be used to enhance tCALIENT’s portfolio of 3D MEMS Optical Circuit Switching systems, extend its IP portfolio and provide working capital for its rapid production growth driven by new applications in software defined datacenter networking.

The company also named Jag Setlur, a 20-year finance professional, as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

"This round of financing will support the exciting opportunities ahead at CALIENT as we work to meet rapidly growing demands for Optical Circuit Switching in software-defined datacenters and metro networks,” said Atiq Raza, CALIENT's CEO."With this funding and our recent growth, I believe now is the time for an experienced CFO like Jag to join the senior management team. I am pleased to have him on board and look forward to leveraging his expertise as we continue to develop and optimize the CALIENT product portfolio and expand our market footprint."

http://www.calient.net/