What's Happening?
Keysight Technologies has announced an expansion of its Advanced Design System (ADS) Photonic Design process design kit (PDK) to support GlobalFoundries' silicon photonics process technology. This development allows designers to validate photonic integrated
circuit (PIC) performance at the optical link level before tapeout, streamlining the development process for AI and optical communications. The PDK is built on physics-based models aligned with GlobalFoundries' silicon photonics process, improving the correlation between simulation and fabricated devices. It supports system-level channel validation, enabling engineers to move from PIC design to full electro-optical-electrical (EOE) system simulation within a single design environment. This integration eliminates the need to switch between separate photonic design and system simulation tools during development.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of the PDK is significant as it addresses the growing demand for efficient design and validation processes in the silicon photonics industry, particularly for AI infrastructure and data centers. By enabling system-level validation from the outset, engineers can ensure better performance and reliability of photonic integrated circuits, which are crucial for high-speed data transmission and processing. This development could lead to faster deployment of advanced technologies in AI and optical communications, potentially reducing costs and time-to-market for new products. Companies involved in these sectors stand to benefit from improved design workflows and enhanced product performance.
What's Next?
As silicon photonics moves into volume production, the integrated workflow provided by the expanded PDK will likely become a standard in the industry. Engineers and companies may increasingly adopt this technology to enhance their design processes and product offerings. The collaboration between Keysight Technologies and GlobalFoundries could also pave the way for further innovations in photonic design and validation, potentially influencing future developments in AI and optical communications.
