Programmable Integrated Optical Signal Processors: Toward Next-Generation Signal Processing Engine in Communication Devices

• IMEC provides scalable and mature silicon photonics 50G-device platform (iSiPP50G) • IMEC SiN waveguide platform opens new application areas (e.g. life science) • Integrated optical signal processors are a promising application area of PICs, their application provides a drive for PIC technology development • Optical signal processing is not aimed to replace DSP, but on its way to find a optimal combination with DSP. This hybrid approach has potential for a new generation of signal processors with significantly improved performance (e.g. 10× larger bandwidth, 10× lower latency, and 10× lower power consumption) • On-chip programmability is an important feature for optical signal processors to reduce cost per function/application and to increase their usability • Study of optical signal processors requires further development of PIC technology (e.g material, device, function, integration, packaging, control, etc.).