News Article
Infinera co-founder honoured by IET for optical innovations
The provider of InP (indium phosphide) based Intelligent Transport Networks is celebrating this acknowledgement from the Institution of Engineering and Technology
David Welch, Infinera co-founder, president and member of the Infinera board, has received the JJ Thomson Medal for Electronics, a prestigious award from the IET.
David Welch, co-founder and President of Infinera
The JJ Thomson Medal for Electronics was awarded to Welch for his role as a pioneer in the field of optical devices and optical networks. His technical contributions and leadership first made it possible to commercially deploy reliable high power semiconductor lasers including 980 nm laser pumps, crucially needed in low noise optical amplifiers employed in DWDM systems.
David Welch later achieved the first commercial optoelectronics integrated circuit, several years ahead of any competing research or developments in the laboratory. These early devices marked a quantum step in optical system design. Today, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are essential to addressing the bandwidth and energy challenges faced by global telecommunications networks.
"It is an honour to receive this award and to be recognised for these achievements," said Welch. "What I am most proud of is how these innovations have now been incorporated in highly successful commercial systems by the team at Infinera and are making a difference in how networks are built and delivering a better experience for internet users around the globe."
Nigel Fine, Chief Executive of the IET added, "The Institution of Engineering and Technology Achievement Awards recognise individuals who have made a truly outstanding contribution to engineering. The winners should be extremely proud of their achievements."
The Institution of Engineering and Technology Achievement Awards recognise some of the world's top engineering talent and acknowledge individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of science, engineering and technology in any sector, either through research and development in their respective technical field or through their leadership of an enterprise.
David Welch, co-founder and President of Infinera
The JJ Thomson Medal for Electronics was awarded to Welch for his role as a pioneer in the field of optical devices and optical networks. His technical contributions and leadership first made it possible to commercially deploy reliable high power semiconductor lasers including 980 nm laser pumps, crucially needed in low noise optical amplifiers employed in DWDM systems.
David Welch later achieved the first commercial optoelectronics integrated circuit, several years ahead of any competing research or developments in the laboratory. These early devices marked a quantum step in optical system design. Today, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are essential to addressing the bandwidth and energy challenges faced by global telecommunications networks.
"It is an honour to receive this award and to be recognised for these achievements," said Welch. "What I am most proud of is how these innovations have now been incorporated in highly successful commercial systems by the team at Infinera and are making a difference in how networks are built and delivering a better experience for internet users around the globe."
Nigel Fine, Chief Executive of the IET added, "The Institution of Engineering and Technology Achievement Awards recognise individuals who have made a truly outstanding contribution to engineering. The winners should be extremely proud of their achievements."
The Institution of Engineering and Technology Achievement Awards recognise some of the world's top engineering talent and acknowledge individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of science, engineering and technology in any sector, either through research and development in their respective technical field or through their leadership of an enterprise.
