Photonic integration is emerging as a new standard for providing cost effective, high-performance, miniaturised optical systems for a wide range of applications. The possibility of integrating complex and advanced photonic functionality into a single chip enables system designers and manufacturers to unite various optical devices into a single package, thereby offering significant enhancements in energy consumption, system size, costs and reliability.
However, the potential of the sector is currently hampered by the availability of accurate electronic-photonic simulation and validation tools for PIC design. Therefore, to unlock the full disruptive potential of integrated photonics as well as to launch a full-scale adoption of photonic-based products across a wide range of verticals, an exceptional improvement of PIC software tools and better modelling procedures for Process Design Kits (PDKs) specific for Free Space Optics (FSO) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) applications are of utmost importance.
The DRIVE-In project fills these gaps by combining into one training programme a selection of the above-mentioned photonic academic modalities with its direct translation into improvements across the integrated photonic market value chain. From the research point of view in DRIVE-In we have addressed these challenges, creating newest, most novel and in some cases disruptive simulation tools, modelling procedures, and design prototypes for use in hybrid photonics-microelectronics circuits (optoelectronic systems) for autonomous vehicle applications (ITSs, ADASs...).
The 4 recruited fellows in DRIVE-In developed new state-of-the-art methods for optical communication, 2D grating simulations and InP integrated electronic/photonic software structures for adaption in existing ITSs and ADASs. They focused their R&D in four different áreas: 1) development of compact models and simulation methods for components adapted for hybrid photonic/electronic systems; 2) validation and statistical analysis of the compact models developed in 1) through reliable test structures for the generic InP process, its fabrication and characterization; 3) development and integration of a new software module for co-integrated hybrid electronics-photonics computational simulation of circuits and electro-optic devices; and 4) development of advanced PICs for testing new applications (other than safety systems) in the automotive sector and other relevant industrial sectors.
Moreover, at the end of the training the fellows are equipped with a unique set of capabilities that will extend their career possibilities: a set of scientific, hands-on and transferable skills courses, as well as a PhD degree and different trainings that cover from management to research capabilities, reinforcing their perspective across the whole value chain, from research and design to manufacturing, thereby forming a strong interdisciplinary network between technical sciences and industry to overcome specific barriers in the integrated photonics sector.
