INSPIRE · Innovating iN Smart Programmable IntegRatEd photonics

iPronics has pioneered Field Programmable Photonic Gate Arrays (FPPGA), an entirely new class of powerful, flexible photonic processors for computing applications in the optical sphere. Unlike electronic FPGAs, they use optical interference to perform very high-speed analog operations. This delivers major increases in system performance and reduced power consumption. Our project INSPIRE (Innovating iN Smart Programmable IntegRatEd photonics) will make FPPGA programmable photonics available in form of TRL5/6 demonstrators for the first time. INSPIRE will advance our current technology readiness by increasing the number of programmable unit cells per chip and improving key performance characteristics including power consumption, space requirements and chip coupling losses. This new optical layer design is then produced in a pilot batch ready for functional tests, validation and demonstration. We will concurrently develop the complementary electronics and software needed to drive, monitor and program this newly developed field-programmable photonic gate arrays (FPPGAs) and involve early adopters to ensure our target specification meet market requirements. We will validate the potential of programmable photonics in form of three prototypes ready for demonstration: 1) a general-purpose starter kit suitable for education, R&D and simple applications, 2) a RF-Photonics demonstrator designed to accelerate waveform processing in mobile communication networks, and 3) a Photonic Computing demonstrator that will speed up data centre operations. We will advance beyond the current TRL4/BRL3 to at least TRL6/BRL5 by validating and demonstrating the newly developed solution with pilot users from selected verticals. The results will be used to update our business case, refine our business model and prepare for scale-up and market entry in a follow-on project.