VPIphotonics Overview
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Photonic Design Automation and Link Configuration
VPIphotonics first coined the term Photonic Design Automation (PDA) in 1998 [1] to describe the design methodologies, software tools and services used to engineer complex photonic networks and products. PDA helps optical component and system vendors to manage intellectual property and reduce operating expenses by streamlining processes, from R&D to technical sales and marketing.
VPIphotonics offers a flexible PDA environment to support requirements in optical component and systems design as well as cost optimization of equipment choices leading to performance reports and bill of materials.
Figure 1:Integration of optical equipment design, link configuration & network planning.
(click on the product names for more details)
Figure 1 shows the interrelationships between the design and optimization tools. Our customers choose sub-sets of this matrix, depending on their core business. This choice is in the secure knowledge that interfaces are available to the tools used by their suppliers and customers, third-party software (such as electronic design and passive component design), laboratory equipment, and existing databases.
[1] H. Hamster et. al, "PDA-challenges for an emerging industry", Lightwave, August 1998
Products Overview
VPIphotonics' tools embed expert knowledge in flexible working environments, providing you with the most powerful numerical algorithms tailored for your application:
- VPIlinkConfigurator™ takes link requirements as input; and converts them to item lists using integer-optimization algorithms, customizable design strategies, databases of commercially available equipment and components, and data on existing plant such as pits, huts and dark fiber. VPIlinkConfigurator is ideal for deploying large numbers of point-point links (including OADMs).
- VPItransmissionMaker™ can fully verify link designs at a sampled-signal level to identify further cost savings, investigate novel technologies, or fulfill specialist requirements. Links can be automatically imported from VPIlinkConfigurator for detailed design and optimization. VPItransmissionMaker is widely used as an R&D tool to evaluate novel component and subsystems designs in a systems context, investigate and optimise systems technologies (e.g. coding, modulation, monitoring, compensation, regeneration).
- VPIcomponentMaker™ allows active and passive devices, and optical amplifiers to be designed, and their performance abstracted for systems-level simulations with VPItransmissionMaker. New amplifier technologies (multistage, multipump, hybrid and waveguide) can be developed, optical signal processing (wavelength conversion, clock recovery, partial regeneration) investigated, and the performance of lasers and tunable lasers in conjunction with integrated modulators can be assessed.
- VPIplayer™ is a fully featured photonic simulation engine that runs a ready-made dynamicDataSheet™ (DDS) for free. It allows R&D experts to easily exchange ideas with people who don't have access to professional design software.
VPIphotonics' integrated PDA solutions bring efficiency gains as they support a streamlined design process by:
- enabling true collaborative design through supply chains,
- stimulating innovation by expanding design resources and possibilities,
- reducing the need for physical experimentation with virtual prototyping,
- capturing and distributing knowledge of design processes,
- establishing and supporting robust decision-making processes.
VPIphotonics has defined a common standard for electronic data exchange that is the backbone of collaborative design. Industry has now demonstrated the benefits from the cost-savings associated with PDA. Many new advantages emerged through PDA for the benefit of end-users that have only been envisioned eight years ago.