| It is a complex and tedious task to define the types of components required in fiber-optic transmission systems, and then determine the optimums for numerous component parameters. To reduce cost and time, laboratory prototypes of new network architectures should only be built in the final steps of a design process. Thus, Photonic Design Automation (PDA) plays an essential part in modern design processes. PDA describes the design methodologies, software tools and services used to engineer complex photonic networks and products. It can be seen as common language for innovation, offering software integration along the signal path from transmitter to receiver, across the value chain from component and systems manufacturer to network operator. Sophisticated computer modeling allows to reduce number of costly and time consuming lab experiments and field trials investigating new system architectures and characterizing optical components.
Advantages of professional PDA tools include:
• Low cost of virtual laboratory and experiments
• Flexible and easy change of system configurations
• Low maintenance effort
• Investigation of novel and innovative designs possible
• Capability of switching on and off various physical effects to provide insights
• Easy communication and documentation of software simulation setups and results
This seminar discusses various modeling aspects along the optical propagation channel:
• The concept of multiple optical signal representations is introduced, which allows distinguishing between data signals, optical noise, distortions and crosstalk throughout the fiber transmission.
• Recent trends of modeling optical transmitters, fibers, amplifiers, and receivers are outlined.
• The problem of estimating with good confidence the bit-error rate is discussed.
• The link between computer modeling and real-world measurement is discussed on an exemplary basis.
The seminar will be given in form of technical lectures on various topics of computer modeling and physical background, which are accompanied by live demonstrations of application examples.
It is intended to cover the following topics via invited presentations:
• Component characterization to input into systems simulations,
• Experimental validation of computer models using laboratory test beds,
• Modeling requirements for the development of commercial components and systems,
• The help of optical simulation tools in university teaching.
Invited Presenters:
• Designing Active Photonic Circuits: Arthur Lowery, Monash University.
• Experimental validation with WDM loop testbed: Ronald Freund, Fraunhofer-Institut for Telecommunications Heinrich-Hertz-Institut.
• Testbed for all-optical networks: Alex Vucovic, Communications Research Centre Canada.
• TBA: Boh Ruffin, Corning.
• TBA: Nan Froberg, Photonic Systems Inc.
Biographies:
Dr. Andre Richter
As an early member of the VPIphotonics team, Dr. Richter contributed to the development of various modeling tools for optical components, subsystems and systems. He invoked an industry training and consulting program in Photonic Design Automation (PDA) that has served more than 850 engineers worldwide. André authored or coauthored more then 25 papers on different topics of optical component, subsystems and WDM systems modeling. Dr. Richter completed his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering with honors at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1995. In 1998 he was a visiting research fellow at the University of Maryland Baltimore County where he worked on modeling of timing jitter in long haul RZ WDM systems. In 2002 Dr. Richter received a Doctorate degree from Technical University of Berlin, Germany.
Dr. James D. Farina
Dr. Farina has had experience in a very broad array of optical technologies during his 25 years in the industry. While a faculty member of Drexel University he carried out theoretical and experimental research in Quantum Optics including Optical Bistability and 2-Photon Amplification. During his 12 years with United Technologies Research Center he was responsible for research in Far Infrared lasers, high speed GaAs optical devices, Lithium Niobate modulators as well as ground breaking work in high dynamic range analog modulation for CATV and antenna remoting applications. Dr. Farina was one of the founders of United Technologies Photonics, a manufacturer of Lithium Niobate modulators and systems based on these devices. Dr. Farina was the Director of Technology for ADC Broadband Communications where he participated in developing equipment enabling the tremendous build out of HFC networks. Since then he has been involved in DWDM and CWDM system design for access networks. For the past two years, Jim has been a consultant to VPIsystems and participates in the ongoing development and technical support from VPI’s Holmdel, NJ office. Dr. Farina received his BSEE from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1976 and PhD in Physics from Drexel University in 1980 and has authored and coauthored numerous papers and presentations as well as 8 patents in optical devices and methods. |
