91³Ô¹ÏÍø

This newsletter provides the latest information on Synopsys Photonic 91³Ô¹ÏÍø including product announcements, new papers, tech talks, upcoming events, and more.

In this issue:

 

New Support Email Address

Please note the change in our support email address for the following products:

  • Synopsys OptoCompiler
  • Synopsys OptSim
  • Synopsys Photonic Device Compiler
  • Synopsys OptoDesigner

Preferred Support Method: Submit a ticket via your account. Set the product L1 to the applicable product from the list above.

Alternative Support Method: Email your request to pic_support@synopsys.com

In both cases, a SolvNetPlus ticket will be created and handled by our solutions engineers.

For RSoft Photonic Device Tools and MetaOptic Designer: Continue to submit support requests to photonics_support@synopsys.com

New Support Email Address for Photonic 91³Ô¹ÏÍø | Synopsys

Photonic 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Software Updates

New Synopsys OptoCompiler and Synopsys OptSim Releases

Synopsys OptoCompiler and Synopsys OptSim Elite version 2023.12-SP2 includes the following changes:

  • 3DIC Simulation with Synopsys OptSim

When using Synopsys OptSim as the simulator, you may use the 3DIC features in PrimeWave as described in the PrimeWave Design Environment User Guide. OptSim-based 3DIC features are currently compatible with electrical PrimeSim-based (either HSPICE or SPICE) subcircuits and PDK model libraries when EO co-simulation is enabled. Thus, when using the 3DIC Setup¡­ dialog from the Setup menu in PrimeWave, Module and ModuleVar definitions should only be associated with PrimeSim-based subcircuits and subcircuit instances that contain electrical PrimeSim elements only. Synopsys OptSim elements and PrimeSim-based photonic PDKs are currently not supported in the context of Module or ModuleVar definitions.

Figure: 3DIC Support in OptoCompiler for EIC and PIC: Combine Multiple Technologies, Keep Separate Scopes for Each Tech | Synopsys

3DIC Support in OptoCompiler for EIC and PIC: Combine Multiple Technologies, Keep Separate Scopes for Each Tech

  • Updates to Synopsys OptSim Netlister for Schematics intended for Synopsys OptSim-PrimeSim Co-Simulation

In prior versions of Synopsys OptoCompiler and Synopsys OptSim, hspice and/or spectre siminfo view in library elements were required to facilitate OptSim-driven cosimulation with PrimeSim. This has been changed now requiring only the optsim siminfo view. 

  • Miscellaneous Fixes and Improvements

  • OptSimLib:
    • lxIgnore and lvsIgnore properties have been added into all devices in the OptSimLib library. Without those properties, logical errors will occur when running Schematic Driven Layout (SDL) flow, since the OptSimLib devices do not have layout view.
  • Documentation:
    • Synopsys OptSim User Guide Chapter 13, ¡°Python Co-Simulation in Blockmode¡± has been updated
    • Synopsys OptSim Application Notes & Examples manual now has two new application notes related to co-simulation with Python. One describes use of available debug tools and the other illustrates Python co-simulation with multimode circuits

RSoft Photonic Device Tools 2023.12-SP2

New RSoft Photonic Device Tools Release with GPU-Based FDTD Simulation

A service release of the RSoft Photonic Device Tools, version 2023.12-SP2, is now available. This update includes a limited-availability beta version of a major new feature for FullWAVE: GPU-based FDTD simulation. 

With this feature, we've achieved simulation speeds up to 14,000 MCells/sec with a single A100 GPU and up to 92,000 MC/sec with 8 GPUs. These speeds represent nearly 20x and 130x improvements compared to a 12-core Xeon E5-4667 CPU.

If you're interested in evaluating this feature, please contact osg_sales@synopsys.com.

Foundry Spotlight: Tower Semiconductor

Silicon photonics is THE process technology driving today¡¯s rapid innovation in optical fiber communication, automotive LiDAR, computing, and bio-sensing applications. It enables more data to be transferred or processed in a shorter time and for a longer distance than via traditional Aluminum or Copper interconnects between ICs. The PH18 (200mm) and TPS45PHD (300mm) from are designed to address the growing demand for the o-band and c-band data center interconnect market along with sensing and LiDAR applications. The platform features include:

  • Low-loss silicon waveguides
  • Multi-layer Silicon nitride waveguides in custom variant with best in industry propagation loss 
  • High-speed Germanium PIN diodes and avalanche photodiodes with optoelectronic bandwidths in excess of 70GHz
  • PIN-diode based phase shifters and MZMs with electro-optic bandwidths exceeding 55GHz
  • Efficient on-chip heater elements
  • Low loss edge coupling with standard CMOS-compatible Al or Cu backend
  • Options for laser attach with UBM
  • On-chip Integrated InP laser and EAM options with demonstrated 200GBs / channel operation
  • Stable, high-volume production line
  • 300mm/45nm option for best-in-class waveguide loss and 3 levels of nitride waveguide layers
  • Optical testing capability
  • MPW and fast-turn short-loop runs
  • Roadmap highlights include Integrated Thin Film LiNbO3 ¨C based MZMs targeting >100GBaud applications and Avalanche PDs with >10dB optical gain and BW>20GHz for LiDAR, other low-light sensing 

Key to enabling the PH18 process for our customers has been Tower¡¯s ability to leverage the tight interaction between design automation, models, and process technology that has helped our customers to maximize performance and minimize cost as well as time to market. We¡¯ve brought our decade¡¯s long experience with building design platforms in electronics to photonics by partnering with Synopsys¡¯ Photonic IC 91³Ô¹ÏÍø team and leveraging their own decades worth of experience in enabling designing and manufacturing of photonic devices, circuits, and systems. Synopsys OptoCompiler design platform supports Tower¡¯s silicon photonics PDKs with a rich library of silicon photonic building blocks such as waveguides, directional and grating couplers, MMIs, tapers, Ge photo detectors, and modulators, enabling:

  • Schematic capture and simulation with Synopsys OptSim in conjunction with industry standard electronic simulators, enabling electro-optic co-simulation and analysis
  • Seamless schematic driven layout synthesis with back-annotation for post layout simulations
  • Photonic aware LVS and DRC verification with Synopsys IC Validator  
  • Support for custom device design with Synopsys Photonic Device Compiler

New Blog Article

Illuminating the Future: The Promise and Challenges of Photonics

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