plaCMOS aims to develop a photonic-plasmonic-electronic integration platform that will enable an unprecedented leap forward in the transmission capacity of datacenter networks. To achieve that, plaCMOS will pursue small-proximity wafer scale integration of novel ferroelectric-based plasmonic-photonic modulators, SiGe photodetectors and BiCMOS electronics in a super-fast, micrometer-scale optical engine capable of transmitting and receiving NRZ data at world’s fastest speed of 200 Gbit/s per optical channel. plaCMOS will rely on this breakthrough advancement, to demonstrate the scalability of thermally independent multi-transceiver chips paving the way for next generation Tbit/s transceivers in monolithic chips complying with industry standards and volume manufacturing resources while surpassing performance expectations. plaCMOS’s technology speed and scalability advantages will be validated in fully functional single- channel and multi-channel (CWDM-based and SDM-based) transceiver prototype assemblies, clearly addressing both technology roadmaps for future data centers, waiving the stringent requirements for high-port count front panels in switches and servers at the best cost/performance intersection. In the same context, plaCMOS will explore the application of its PIC platform in forward looking applications that can lead to more advanced reconfigurable transceivers. The overall objective of plaCMOS is illustrated in the following schematic.
Mellanox Technologies, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of NVIDIA, is a supplier of end-to-end InfiniBand and Ethernet interconnect solutions and services for servers and storage. Mellanox offers a broad portfolio of interconnect products: adapters, switches, software, cables and silicon for a range of markets including computing, enterprise Data centers, Web 2.0, Cloud, Storage and financial services. Mellanox’ top notch equipment is preferred among HPC cluster managers: Mellanox connects 59% of TOP500 systems (296 systems) including all of the 126 InfiniBand systems, and most of the 25 gigabit and faster Ethernet platforms. Mellanox accelerates 4 of the TOP5 supercomputers and six of the top ten.
ETH Zurich, Switzerland, is a top ranking international university in the fields of technology and natural science. ETH has more than 19,000 students from whom 4000 are doctoral students. ETH has more than 500 professors engaged in teaching and research. Till today, 21 Nobel laureates are linked with ETH. The Institute of Electromagnetic Fields (IEF) at ETH is headed by Prof. Leuthold. It is involved in research and development of optical communication devices and systems. Areas of interest include silicon photonics, plasmonics and novel modulation formats, beam forming and pulse shaping as well as Tbit/s transmission systems. The IEF Institute is further known for the expertise high-speed integrated optics and high-speed transmission.
Micram Microelectronic GmbH is a privately owned fabless whole-service provider for high performance ASIC solutions. The company was founded 1989 as a spin-off of the Center of Microelectronics of the Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Germany. The range of services is tailored to deliver turnkey solutions for high performance ASICS in SiGe- and III-V-bipolar as well as in RF-CMOS technologies focusing on power-saving, high-speed, high-accuracy, and highly-functional applications. Micram’s engineers participated in various R&D projects related to high-speed data transmission (Photonik II, KomNet, MultiTeraNet, 100GET, NGOA, IMPACT). Amongst other record results, the company was the first that successfully developed 40, 80 and 100 Gbit/s SiGe transceivers and TIAs as well D-A and A-D converters with bandwidth and sampling rates in excess of 40 GHz and 100 GS7s. Micram employees count 17 design engineers, including 4 PhD’s, supported by high-trained technicians and administration staff, working in the technical areas Design&Engineering, Rapid Prototyping, Test&Measurement. Micram’s product development cycle is supported by in-house Rapid Prototyping and Test&Measurement services, installed in a 2000 sqft clean room facility.
