Abstract: Provided is an improved method, system, and computer program product to implement simulation for photonic devices. A composite, multi-domain simulation model is disclosed, with connected domain-specific representations that allow the use of the most relevant simulator technology for a given domain. The model has external connection points either expressed as actual ports or virtual ones, embodied by simulator API calls in the model.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for simulating circuits that transmit bidirectional signals between some ports using simulators designed originally for electrical circuits and systems, that eliminate the need for different port interfaces. The system and method can be applied to simulate photonic circuits either standalone or integrated with electrical circuits and systems. In one method implemented by the system potential and flow representations, available for example in Verilog-A simulators, are used to create bidirectional signals on a single bus line to transmit optical signals. In another method implemented by the system, the system auto-configures each optical port type as left or right at runtime or during a pre-simulation initialization to allow for bidirectional signals with a single port interface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for simulating circuits that transmit bidirectional signals between some ports using simulators designed originally for electrical circuits and systems, that eliminate the need for different port interfaces. The system and method can be applied to simulate photonic circuits either standalone or integrated with electrical circuits and systems. In one method implemented by the system potential and flow representations, available for example in Verilog-A simulators, are used to create bidirectional signals on a single bus line to transmit optical signals. In another method implemented by the system, the system auto-configures each optical port type as left or right at runtime or during a pre-simulation initialization to allow for bidirectional signals with a single port interface.

Abstract: Provided is an improved method, system, and computer program product to implement simulation for photonic devices. A composite, multi-domain simulation model is disclosed, with connected domain-specific representations that allow the use of the most relevant simulator technology for a given domain. The model has external connection points either expressed as actual ports or virtual ones, embodied by simulator API calls in the model.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for simulating circuits that transmit bidirectional signals between some ports using simulators designed originally for electrical circuits and systems, that eliminate the need for different port interfaces. The system and method can be applied to simulate photonic circuits either standalone or integrated with electrical circuits and systems. In one method implemented by the system potential and flow representations, available for example in Verilog-A simulators, are used to create bidirectional signals on a single bus line to transmit optical signals. In another method implemented by the system, the system auto-configures each optical port type as left or right at runtime or during a pre-simulation initialization to allow for bidirectional signals with a single port interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and feedback control of a photonic switch such as 2×2 Mach-Zehnder Interferometer switch. Optical signals at an input and an output of the switch are monitored via optical taps. A sinusoidal time-varying phase shift is applied to one of the monitoring signals. An optical combiner then combines the monitoring signals. A photodetector monitors output of the optical combiner to provide a feedback signal. The amplitude of the feedback signal due to the time-varying phase shift increases with the amount of input signal present in the output signal. When the input signal is to be routed to the output (e.g. for a bar state), a controller manipulates the switch to maximize feedback signal amplitude. When the input signal is to be routed to a different output (e.g. for a cross state), the controller manipulates the switch to minimize feedback signal amplitude.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and feedback control of a photonic switch such as 2×2 Mach-Zehnder Interferometer switch. Optical signals at an input and an output of the switch are monitored via optical taps. A sinusoidal time-varying phase shift is applied to one of the monitoring signals. An optical combiner then combines the monitoring signals. A photodetector monitors output of the optical combiner to provide a feedback signal. The amplitude of the feedback signal due to the time-varying phase shift increases with the amount of input signal present in the output signal. When the input signal is to be routed to the output (e.g. for a bar state), a controller manipulates the switch to maximize feedback signal amplitude. When the input signal is to be routed to a different output (e.g. for a cross state), the controller manipulates the switch to minimize feedback signal amplitude.

Abstract: An optical device includes first and second waveguide phase arms each having optically coupled parallel sections of waveguides, the parallel sections of each one of the waveguide phase arms being dissimilar to reduce crosstalk. The device further includes a tunable element for applying a phase shift to an optical signal traversing the first phase arm. The waveguides of the parallel sections may have dissimilar dimensions, e.g. may vary in width, thickness, or both. The waveguides adjacent the tunable element may be suspended and/or underetched to improve thermal isolation and accordingly reduce power consumption of the optical device.