Market Assessment of high performance silicon photonic transceivers and sensors using low-cost lasers and assembly

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Next-generation information and communication technologies rely increasingly on optical-based circuitry (in combination with traditional electronic circuits) to account for a growing need for faster speeds of data transmission, more flexible and resilient grids, and more sensitive and compact measurement devices. This area of research and development - known as silicon photonics - is currently reliant on tunable lasers that are bulky and expensive (hundreds to thousands of dollars), and in turn require additional isolators, lenses and packaging that results in costly and unwieldly devices. Our team has developed two novel circuits on a silicon platform (ie easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes) that can replace tunable lasers required in communication applications, and can simplify the packaging to reduce the overall assembly cost of silicon photonic products. In order to demonstrate the application of these circuits, we have designed a silicon photonic-based biosensor that can be used for point-of-care pathogen detection (including, but not limited to Covid-19) that can be manufactured for <$20. Our current IP portfolio includes these two novel circuit designs and a design for the portable biosensor. The purpose of this project is to complete a market study to evaluate the market potential for our novel circuitry in biosensing, communication, and others. Our strong IP position presents an excellent opportunity to start a new Canadian company based on our technology. We have engaged an independent consulting group Dennis Rank and Associates to assist with this market study, which will include a thorough review of secondary market data as well as a number of primary market research interviews with relevant stakeholders, and to evaluate this preliminary commercialization pathway.