(DURIP-22) PHOTONIC PROCESSOR and AI RAPID PROTOTYPING AND TEST SYSTEM
Abstract
This DURIP project develops a one-of-a-kind rapid prototyping platform forphotonic signal processing, computing, and emerging AI-systems. This evaluation system enablesresearchers to perform end-to-end tests of photonic processing, analog computing, and AI systems. Oncedeveloped, the system can be copied by other academic groups, AFRL, ARL, NRL national labs, and SMEswho have needs in developing electronic-photonic processors. The system is herein referred to as ‘PhotonicProcessor and AI Rapid Prototyping and Test System’ (P3TS).Value Proposition Added- In regards to differentiating P3TS to other systems; there is no current solutionthat is accessible in the field to provide this functionality. Neither photonics foundry in north America offersan evaluation system for photonic accelerators-co-processors-signal processing chips as developed here.There may be proprietary (industry) knowledge, yet the academic and small-medium-enterprise (SME)ecosystem is void is such a capability. This DURIP will aim to fill this gap. The unique capabilitiesdeveloped in this P3TS will deliver end-to-end PIC-based evaluation test capability for Photonic ASICs fora variety of test conditions to include speed, bit-resolution, bit-error-rate, and processing functionality andperformance, for example.The System- Hardware features include; dual interposer to carry the PIC and enable multi-PIC testincluding thermal control; 96 DC break-out board, 2 and 8 RF I-O up to about 20GHz connectors such asto drive high-speed modulators and-or detectors. Optical I-O and PCB design for 10’s GHz signals. DC andRF electrical I-O. This DURIP will also include design-rule-exploration of optical link-budgets, such ascascading noise-figures required in a Shannon noisy channel with added algebraic noise from matrixvector-multiplications in the optical domain, for example. Lastly, EOM driver design (or selection fromCOTS) and associated PCB co-design will be used to complete P3TS. This photonic processor prototypingand test system is realized by combining (currently) scattered know-how from the community (‘connectingthe-dots’) and building a P3TS platform around photonic integrated circuit (PIC), mixed-signal informationprocessing and compute-accelerators such as photonic ASICs.A Unique added Capability to the IT Ecosystem- The PI (Sorger) discussed and secured interest torealize this P3TS platform with key partners such as AIM, SiEPIC Kits, Dream Photonics Inc. and othersaddressing mixed-signal, RF-photonic co-integration. The scientific and technological outcomes of P3TSwill be to accelerate technology transition from prototyping to early-adoption into mission-systems for theAir Force and also enabled (dual) civil use. Furthermore, SMEs performing under SBIR-STTR programswill benefit from such a rapid evaluation system, but also large-scale programs such as the current AFRLCoE opening for spiking neural networks, or I-ARPA’s AI computing program, for example. Machineintelligence and AI-systems are becoming increasingly important for processing large data volumes andmachine autonomy both leading to information dominance via accelerated decision making – critical toDOD missions and society. This DURIP P3TS system will push emerging photonic ‘computing’ systemsto higher TRLs and shorten development time and ultimate enable a rapid time-to-market-mission foremerging photonic-based processors and signal-processing modules and sub-systems.Impact on Education and Workforce- The P3TS system and, particular certain development parts of it,offer excellent training and teaching opportunities for students. For example, a particular module will bethe fiber-array attach part. The development will help to produce YouTube ‘how-to-do’ videos, develop alecture training module including an associated homework, and train and educated students, thus developingan educated workforce.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210100
Entities
People
- Volker Sorger
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- George Washington University
- United States Air Force