TRANSBIT · Transceivers for Analog Photonic Computation

Analog Programmable-Photonic Computation (APC) is a novel paradigm that exploits programmable integrated photonics (PIP) for high-performance optical computing and signal processing. The ERC-funded ANBIT project established APC’s foundation by defining the analog bit (anbit), introducing computational operations, and designing circuit implementations. However, a major challenge remains: the efficient generation and detection of anbits. Existing solutions rely on fixed optical components, making them susceptible to fabrication errors and operational drifts, limiting scalability and precision.TRANSBIT addresses this challenge by introducing reconfigurable photonic transceivers for anbit encoding and detection. By replacing static beam combiners with tuneable basic units of PIP, TRANSBIT enables real-time adaptive error correction, ensuring stable and high-fidelity operation. This approach not only enhances APC’s computational capabilities, but also facilitates its scalability and practical deployment.By overcoming a fundamental bottleneck, TRANSBIT paves the way for the transfer of APC technology to real-world applications. Its impact extends beyond computing, offering new opportunities in optical communications and neuromorphic photonic networks. This project marks a key step toward the integration of APC into next-generation photonic systems, unlocking its full potential for future technological advancements.