Photonic Integrated Comb Source

Project Information

PICOMB

Grant agreement ID: 881158

DOI

10.3030/881158

Project closed

EC signature date 5 December 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2022

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 357 951,25

EU contribution

€ 1 650 565,88

Coordinated by

PILOT PHOTONICS LTD
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - PICOMB (Photonic Integrated Comb Source)

Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2022-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Sustained growth in data traffic is putting pressure on the data networks that make up the internet. This critical infrastructure upon which society and commerce now depends, requires new innovations to continue to grow and deliver new digital services to improve the lives of the citizens of Europe and the world. Pilot Photonics has developed breakthrough technology in the area of optical comb lasers and photonic integration to enable next generation fiber-optic networks that make up the backbone of the internet.

Pilot Photonics technology addresses several pain-points within the telecoms/datacoms industry. These include:
Speed of Electronics - it is becoming very challenging to increase the speed of the data signals on a single wavelength, therefore a parallel multi-wavelength channel such as Pilot's comb source is needed to get to higher rates
Cost, footprint, power consumption - Using a comb, numerous wavelengths come from a single optical package leading to cost, footprint, and very importantly power consumption savings. Furthermore, the phase relationship between the wavelengths can be used to reduce the compexity of the DSP for further power savings.
Capacity - fitting more data into existing network infrastructure - Pilot's technology eliminates wasted spectrum known as guard-bands that are needed by approaches based on independent lasers.

The overall objective of "PICOMB" was to gain market acceptance for this disruptive comb-based superchannel innovation through PIC design, fabrication and assembly into prototypes prior to engaging in customer trials, with a view to commercial partnership formation.

The outcome of the project has been the development of advanced comb and coherent optical engine PICs along with advanced RF, digital electronic, and software controllers all of which have been integrated into evaluation demonstrators that have captured the interest and excitement of several leading players in the optical fiber communication space.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The results of the project were as follows:
Development of multiple advanced monolithic photonic integrated circuits including integrated comb lasers, and coherent superchannel optical engines
Development of RF, digital electronic hardware and software control systems to drive and manage the PICs.
Integration of all of the components into an evaluation demonstrator
Registration of new patents, a trademark, and development of design IP and know-how
Deep engagement with the market through tradeshows, press releases, industry awards, speaking slots, opinion pieces, and scientific publications.
Secured trials, development contracts with leading customers

Additional company growth supported by the project includes increased revenue, increased company profile, increased workforce, improved innovation capacity, and more.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Coherent optical transceivers based on one or in some cases two independent single mode lasers are available in the market today. PICOMB will enable the world’s first comb-based coherent transceivers with 4 coherent wavelengths from a single chip. This comb source will be integrated with high performance optical modulators on a single chip and used to create a sliceable optical transmitter, allowing for the generation of both individual- and super-channels from a single device. In terms of data rates, commercial coherent transceivers typically offer 400G with a few 600G and 800G deployments now beginning. The PICOMB light source, now branded the integrated comb laser assembly (iCLA) can support multiple different data rates up to 1.8Tb/s depending on the configuration.

The assembled comb-based superchannel transmitter chip with RF and bias interface board

integrated comb laser assembly (iCLA) PIC

SuperTROSA Assembly