Computer Aided Design System for Photonic Integration of Optoelectronic Circuits

Princeton Electronic Systems (PES) proposes to develop a photonics simulation software package to support the design and evaluation of optoelectronic circuits comprising diode lasers, photodetectors, optical modulators and multiplexers, passive couplers, optical waveguides, and optical amplifiers. The innovative approach involves (1) the use of independent simulation modules tied together with the AVS Developer's software, a commercially supported operating, interfacing and visualization system ideally suited to the needs of optoelectronic CAD and (2) a hierarchical architecture that enables independent modules to operate a jointly to simulate complex systems. The software will be develoed in collaboration with the David Sarnoff Research Center. In phase I, PES will extend the user interface design and the capability of a photonics simulation software currently under development at Sarnoff. CAD modules will be developed to assemble a complex optical network and apply optical network theory to the assemblage of modules to calculate network response functions. A working system will be demonstrated by performing an analysis of a small subsystem. In Phase II, a package with full optoelectronic CAD capabilitiy will be developed. The development will greatly impact commercial optoelectronic and optical circuits, particularly for communications. The software product will be commercialized in Phase III.