Silicon photonics: enabling optical and microwave signal processing for broadband communications beyond the next decade

数字技术和互联网已经改变了我们的互动方式：已经出现了一种数字互联网文化，它拥抱了以视频为导向的通信、教育、文化娱乐、医疗保健和商业服务。这个研究计划的总体使命是提供颠覆性技术，为支持这种数字文化所需的光纤和光无线电信基础设施提供动力。我们将通过研究两个相互关联的主题来实现我们的使命：主题1-用于光信号处理的硅光子学和主题2-用于微波信号处理的硅光子学。主题1研究的长期目标是提供基于硅光子学的信号处理创新解决方案，解决与数据信号的非并行传输相关的问题和挑战，即空分多路复用，这被认为是将传输增加到超过单模光纤已知容量限制并避免光纤通信中带宽耗尽的唯一手段。同时，主题2的长期目标是开发用于光-无线通信的硅光子学中的集成微波光子系统，以应对消费者对无线千兆服务前所未有的增长需求。这些设备将实现微波系统中的重要功能，这些功能是复杂的或以其他方式不可能使用电子实现的。在短期内，我们将设计硅光子学的基本构件，并调查各种光学和微波信号处理方法的性能限制。信息和通信技术(ICT)行业长期以来一直是加拿大经济发展的核心，自2007年以来，ICT行业对加拿大GDP增长的贡献率为7.5%。拟议的研究计划产生的想法、结果和技术可以通过合作伙伴关系、学生实习和国际合作被ICT行业采用。该研究计划将为每年四名学生提供优秀的信号处理培训；光通信；数值建模；器件设计、制造和测试；以及系统实验。他们将处于非常有利的地位，能够立即做出贡献，并在信通技术部门产生影响。目前研究项目的毕业生已经被安置在相关行业，包括Ciena和MPB Communications。

Digital technology and the internet have changed the way we interact:  a digital culture embracing video-oriented services for communication, education, entertainment, healthcare, and business has emerged.  The overall mission of this research program is to deliver disruptive technologies to power the fiber optic and optical-wireless telecommunications infrastructure necessary to support this digital culture.  We will achieve our mission through research on two inter-related topics:  Theme 1-silicon photonics for optical signal processing and Theme 2-silicon photonics for microwave signal processing.The long term objective of Theme 1 research is to provide innovative solutions for signal processing based on silicon photonics that address issues and challenges associated with the parallel transmission of data signals, i.e., space-division-multiplexing, which is recognized as the only means to increase transmission beyond known capacity limits of single mode fiber and avoid bandwidth exhaust in fiber optic communications.  In a parallel effort, the long term objective of Theme 2 is to develop integrated microwave photonic systems in silicon photonics for optical-wireless communications that address the unprecedented increase in consumer demand for wireless gigabit service.  The devices will realize important functionalities in microwave systems that are complex or otherwise impossible to achieve using electronics.In the short term, we will design fundamental building blocks in silicon photonics and investigate the performance limitations of the various approaches for optical and microwave signal processing.The information and communications technology (ICT) sector has long been central to Canada's economic development and ICT industries have accounted for 7.5% of the Canadian GDP growth since 2007.  The ideas, results, and technologies generated from the proposed research program can be adopted by ICT industries through partnerships, student internships, and collaborations.  The research program will provide excellent training for four students per year in signal processing; optical communications; numerical modelling; device design, fabrication, and testing; and in systems experiments.  They will be in an excellent position to make immediate contributions and have an impact in the ICT sector.  Graduates from the current research program have been placed in relevant industries, including Ciena and MPB Communications.