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EDA tool for modeling photonic integrated circuits

Date: 10/09/2014
The light processing opto circuit in the communication systems can be modeled using a new EDA tool from Synopsys.

RSoft OptSim Circuit models single- and multi-stage bidirectional Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). RSoft OptSim Circuit supports multi-level modulation and multi-lane digital signal processing. This tool help deploying single- and multi-stage PICs comprising a mix of components that are active and passive, electrical and optical.

RSoft OptSim Circuit models bidirectional propagation for both optical and electrical signals in PICs. OptSim Circuit makes it possible to model complex signal interactions such as forward and backward propagating reflections and resonance, and it enables the design of PICs that operate with coupling and feedback of different optical and electrical signal paths.

This offers a significant advantage over legacy modeling tools based on unidirectional, end-to-end signal propagation, which can fail to capture real-life system behavior that arises due to multiple orders of reflections and resonance between neighboring elements in the chain, as per Synopsys.

RSoft OptSim Circuit Models multipath interference (MPI) from network and PIC elements so that system designers can monitor and correct MPI, which arises due to multiple orders of reflections from connectors and components in a link or on a PIC and adversely affects overall system performance.

This tool also includes an extensive library of PIC elements such as bidirectional waveguides, bidirectional couplers and connectors, light sources such as lasers and VCSELs, modulators, phase shifters and photodiodes such as PINs and APDs.

OptSim Circuit allows designers to organize and reuse PIC layouts quickly and easily.

"Large, warehouse-scale data centers are driving Ethernet bandwidths to higher speeds—to 100 GbE and even 400 GbE," said Ali Ghiasi, principal of Ghiasi Quantum LLC. "In response, the industry is moving from legacy NRZ signaling to transceiver PICs with significantly higher data rates per lane enabled by advanced modulation techniques such as PAM and DMT. These developments require a comprehensive simulation suite that accurately models optical and electrical impairments, OE/EO devices and MPI. Essential to this suite is Synopsys' OptSim Circuit, which accurately evaluates the impact of MPI-induced penalties in realistic systems with jitter and noise. In addition, OptSim Circuit's ability to model forward- and backward-propagating reflections and resonance is key to modeling single- and multi-stage bidirectional PICs."

Synopsys' RSoft OptSim Circuit software is available now.