Smart Photonics introduced an advanced InP process design kit (PDK) for photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design. The Smart PDK has been developed for use in a PIC design flow comprised of software tools from German-based VPIphotonics and The Netherlands-based PhoeniX Software.
The new PDK includes parameterised compact models for use in VPIphotonics’ circuit simulator, VPIcomponentMaker Photonic Circuits. The design flow enables designers to functionally capture their PIC design using a comprehensive library of parameterised photonic building blocks targeted at Smart Photonics’ InP process. The VPIcomponentMaker Photonic Circuits tool provides a scalable time-and-frequency-domain simulation framework for fast and accurate modelling of large-scale PIC designs. Its integrated simulator directly uses the compact photonic models from the Smart PDK to enable simulation of a mix of photonic, electrical and optoelectronic devices.
Orientations and connections of the circuit building blocks can be specified in VPIcomponentMaker Photonic Circuits and then passed to OptoDesigner, PhoeniX Software’s parameterised photonic design tool. OptoDesigner uses foundry fabrication data, parameterised photonic building-blocks and an extensive set of design rules from the Smart PDK, to synthesise a smart foundry-compatible layout that meets smart design rules and the designer’s intent as specified during VPI circuit simulations.