CIE Components in Electronics
Synopsys has announced the availability of RSoft OptSim Circuit, an extension of Synopsys” OptSim fibre optic systems modelling tool extending its capabilities to include photonic integrated circuits (PICs) – important optical components which enable faster fibre optic networks, accommodate more efficient bandwidths and support network traffic growth. The OptSim Circuit is intended to help designers accelerate the design of advanced optical telecommunication systems.
To maximise optical communication network performance and reduce costs fibre optics manufacturers need a comprehensive modelling tool that can analyse all aspects of a system, including advanced modulation formats supported by next generation PICs. Combined, OptSim Circuit and OptSim deliver a single framework, engine and robust sets of models for studying systems ranging from long-haul optical communications systems to sub-micron photonic circuits. For example, users will be able to evaluate system-level performance in OptSim, of a PIC design in OptSim Circuit.
“OptSim Circuit offers an integrated environment for the development of cost effective, energy efficient and high-capacity photonic integrated devices and systems,” said George Bayz, vice president and general manager of Synopsys’ Optical Solutions Group. “OptSim Circuit also provides engineers with innovative new tools and model libraries to enable an intuitive and productive design process.”
Key features include:
- Models single and multi-stage bidirectional PICs. To address ever-growing bandwidth demands, the industry is moving toward multi-level modulation and multi-lane digital signal processing. These developments provide an ideal environment for deploying single and multi stage PICs comprising a mix of components that are active and passive, electrical and optical.
- Models bidirectional propagation for both optical and electrical signals in PICs. OptSim Circuit makes it possible to model complex signal interactions such as forward and backward propagating reflections and resonance, and it enables the design of PICs that operate with coupling and feedback of different optical and electrical signal paths.
- Models multipath interference (MPI) from network and PIC elements. This capability allows system designers to monitor and correct MPI, which arises due to multiple orders of reflections from connectors and components in a link or on a PIC and adversely affects overall system performance.
- Includes an extensive library of PIC elements such as bidirectional waveguides, bidirectional couplers and connectors, light sources such as lasers and VCSELs, modulators, phase shifters and photodiodes such as PINs and APDs.
- Delivers powerful options for data visualisation, plotting and project resource management. OptSim Circuit provides an intuitive representation of repeating and hierarchical system elements, which allows designers to organise and reuse PIC layouts quickly and easily.
“Large, warehouse-scale data centres are driving Ethernet bandwidths to higher speeds to 100 GbE and even 400 GbE,” said Ali Ghiasi, principal of Ghiasi Quantum LLC. “In response, the industry is moving from legacy NRZ signalling to transceiver PICs with significantly higher data rates per lane enabled by advanced modulation techniques such as PAM and DMT. These developments require a comprehensive simulation suite that accurately models optical and electrical impairments, OE/EO devices and MPI. Essential to this suite is Synopsys’ OptSim Circuit, which accurately evaluates the impact of MPI-induced penalties in realistic systems with jitter and noise. In addition, OptSim Circuit’s ability to model forward and backward-propagating reflections and resonance is key to modelling single and multi-stage bidirectional PICs.”
