POETICS is an H2020 Research and Innovation project funded by the European Union, aiming to develop novel Terabit optical engines and optical switching circuits and co-package them with digital switching chips to realize Multi-Chip Modules (MCM) for the next generation switching equipment with Tb/s capacities and very high energy efficiency that fit into the roadmap of vendors.
To achieve this, POETICS is relying on a photonic integration technology based on a silicon nitride platform, optical polymers, InP electro-absorption modulated lasers (EMLs) and external cavity lasers, and on high-speed electronics based on BiCMOS technology. Specific target in POETICS is the development of six (6) prototypes:
- MCM with 1.6 Tb/s OEs and PolyBoard with parallel SMFs on par with the PSM/DR spec for intra-DC connectivity [POE -1, POE -2]
- MCM with 1.6 Tb/s OEs and 3D PolyBoard with duplex MCFs for 5G optical fronthaul applications [POE -3]
- Low-power-consumption 3D Benes Optical Switch [POE -4]
- MCM coherent 64Gbaud OEs with up to 600 Gb/s capacity for DC interconnect applications [POE -5 (precursor), POE -6]
POETICS will develop for the first time in SiGe BiCMOS, monolithically integrated arrays of analog multiplexing and driving circuits for the transmitter and monolithically integrated arrays of TIA and analog demultiplexing circuits to deliver up to 100Gbaud PAM-4 signals. 8-fold InP-EMLs arrays with very high bandwidth and ability to operate at elevated temperatures will be developed and combined with PolyBoard motherboard using automated processes to form the basis for direct-detection transceivers up to 200 Gb/s per lane for a total capacity of 1.6 Tb/s over parallel SMFs, for intra-DC connectivity of 500m–2km. The same EML array will be coupled to a 3D PolyBoard motherboard for the first time to realize a forward looking 1.6 Tb/s optical engine with the 3D PolyBoard acting as an MCF interposer, for increased bandwidth density in intra-DC links or delivering 8x200 Gb/s in point-to-multipoint links in the 5G optical fronthaul.
POETICS will introduce for the first time a novel 32x32 3D Benes optical switch in 3D PolyBoard, offering a reconfigurable, non-blocking and low power optical switching device that eliminates waveguides crossings and can scale gracefully. The project invests also on the complementarity of the TriPleX and PolyBoard platforms to realize for the first time a cost-efficient 64Gbaud coherent transceiver with up to 600 Gb/s capacity for DCI links within 80-120 km.
Finally, the transceivers and optical switch prototypes will be tested and characterized in lab settings and in quasi-real settings using application specific testbeds. Via the system tests, will be validated and quantified the potential of projects' MCM technology in particular application fields (optical interconnects and optical switching for intra-DC network applications, DCI applications and, 5G fronthaul).
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POETICS project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under G.A No 871769 and it is an initiative of the Photonics Public Private Partnership."
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