Reconfigurable Optical Paths in Photonic ICs for Block Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with multiple functional photonic blocks makes it difficult to deconvolute their overall performance, necessitating improved methods for determining the individual performance of these blocks to understand, check, and optimize the overall performance.
Innovation Solution
A PIC with a reconfigurable optical connection arrangement comprising semiconductor-based optical waveguides and controllable optical switches allows for optical interconnectability and reconfiguration of functional photonic blocks, enabling performance determination at the individual or set level through optical access paths and loopback tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional photonic blocks are integrated into a single PIC to increase functionality, then the versatility and capability of the PIC is improved, but the difficulty to deconvolute and determine individual block performance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces separate optical access paths for each functional photonic block, physically segmenting the optical signals so that each block can be tested independently. This segmentation allows the overall performance of the complex PIC to be deconvoluted into individual block performances while maintaining the integrated functionality of all blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical access paths as intermediary structures that connect external test equipment to individual functional blocks. These access paths act as mediators that enable independent measurement of each block's performance without requiring disassembly of the integrated circuit, thus resolving the measurement difficulty while preserving integration.
2Ease of manufacture
If functional photonic blocks are fixed in their optical connections, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to reconfigure and optimize performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates controllable optical switches into the optical connection arrangement, transforming the fixed connections into dynamic, reconfigurable connections. These switches can be controlled to connect different functional blocks to different optical access paths, enabling reconfiguration for various testing scenarios and optimization purposes while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables deconvolution of the overall PIC performance to the level of individual functional blocks, improving understanding and optimization by allowing for automated or manual testing and calibration of each block's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of controllable optical switches, at least one of the controllable optical switches in response to a control signal being configurable to be in: a first state in which optical transmission is allowed; or a second state in which optical transmission is prevented
Data Source
AI summary
A PIC including a plurality of optically interconnectable functional photonic blocks and a reconfigurable optical connection arrangement having a plurality of semiconductor-based optical waveguides and a plurality of controllable optical switches, at least one controllable optical switch being configurable to be in a first state allowing optical transmission or a second state preventing optical transmission. Depending on the respective first or second state of the at least one controllable optical switch, the optical connection arrangement is configured to enable at least a first set of semiconductor-based optical waveguides to provide at least one optical connection between at least two functional photonic blocks and/or a first optical access path to at least one functional photonic block. An opto-electronic system including the PIC and to a method of improved determination of an overall performance of the PIC.