Institute of Communication and Computer Systems/National Technical University of Athens (Greece)
The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) is associated with the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (SECE) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). ICCS/NTUA will participate in 3PEAT with the Photonics Communications Research Laboratory (PCRL), which was founded in 1995 as a research group of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens. Its research activities focus on the design and implementation of photonic devices and systems for optical communication systems and datacom applications, including innovative solutions for high-capacity, flexible optical transmission networks and systems with advanced modulation formats, all-optical signal processing systems/subsystems, multi-wavelength sources for wavelength division multiplexing systems, and novel optical network architectures for datacentres.
Role in 3PEAT
ICCS/NTUA coordinates 3PEAT and is responsible for the development of the SDO platform to interface the active switch modules with the control plane hierarchy of a DC network, the development of the algorithm for the control of the 2D optical phased array and the development of the algorithms for the processing of the measurement data in the LDV modules. Further, ICCS/NTUA will also lead the testing activities of the switching modules and contribute to the testing of the LDV sensing modules.
Contact: Lefteris Gounaridis, Christos Tsokos, Hercules Avramopoulos
LioniX International (The Netherlands)
LioniX is a leading provider in development and small to high volume production of leveraging and innovative 
products based on micro/nano system technology (MNT) and MEMS. LioniX's core technologies are integrated optics and microfluidics, with customers operating in telecom, industrial process control, life sciences, space markets, and include OEM's, multinationals, VC start-up companies as well as research institutions from around the world. LioniX has its own clean-room facilities with equipment for the proprietary technology and dedicated test/analysis equipment for integrated optics and micro-fluidic devices.
Role in 3PEAT
LioniX is responsible for managing innovation activities, by continuously monitoring and identifying developments in targeted markets and re-aligning the project objectives according to market needs. LioniX, with the contribution of SolMateS, will focus on the optimization of heterogeneous integration process for the PZT layers on TriPleX in order to develop high speed and low power consumption optical phase shifters (up to 50 MHz) with low polarization dependence. In addition, LioniX will fabricate external cavity test chips according to UTwente’s models for the development and optimization of the ultra-low linewidth laser source, and will contribute to the development of the hybrid 3D polymer-TriPleX integration process. LioniX will also lead the standardization activities and management of IPR and contribute in the definition of a high-volume production methodology.
Contact: Youwen Fan, Erik Schreuder, Arne Leinse
Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz Institute (Germany)
FhG-HHI is one of the leading laboratories worldwide with emphasis on InP-based discrete and PIC devices as well as polymer-based PLCs and optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEIC). In its Photonics Components (PC) department, HHI has successfully developed a wide range of photonic devices, in many cases in close cooperation with domestic and foreign SMEs. HHI's extensive expertise in photonic components has resulted in Polyboard™, a powerful polymer based photonic platform with an extensive toolbox, covering the needs of modern photonic telecom and datacom systems.
Role in 3PEAT
FhG-HHI is the polymer platform technology provider in 3PEAT and is responsible for the optimization of the process steps for the fabrication of multiple polymer layers on PolyBoard with the same performance and will develop vertical couplers for efficient light transition between layers. FhG-HHI will also design and develop integrated optical circulators based on the integration of magneto-optic elements and GRIN lenses inside U-grooves, as well as the optical flexlines for the interconnection of two hybrid PICs following an improved version of the standard single-layer PolyBoards fabrication process. Moreover, they leverage the optimized fabrication process for the hybrid integration of 3D polymer stacks on prestructured TriPleX wafers and the realization of the hybrid structures (TriPlex-single layer Polyboard, TriPleX-multilayer PolyBoard and TriPleX-PolyBoard with integrated circulator) and will contribute to the manufacturability aspects and defining methods for high-volume production.
Contact: Moritz Kleinert, Madeleine Nuck, Norbert Keil
SolMateS B.V. (The Netherlands)
SolMateS BV was founded in 2006, as a spin-off of the Inorganic Materials Science group at the University of Twente. SolMateS provides innovative solutions for the movement or sensing on a chip with piezoelectric thin films. Besides the developed unique deposition hardware and piezo recipes, it has expertise in buffer layers, different types of electrode materials and structuring characterization of the deposited layers. SolMateS launched its PLD platform in the fast-growing piezo-MEMS market for the use of piezoelctric thin film manufacturing. SolMateS has his own RD lab for PLD based depositions, and basic thin film analytical equipment.
Role in 3PEAT
SolMateS leads the optimization efforts with respect to the pulsed laser deposition process in order to improve the heterogenous integration of PZT films on TriPleX, involving optimization of the Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 thin film stack and geometry (thickness) that will result in reduced dielectric constant and increased induced stress. Together with LioniX they will optimize TriPleX waveguide geometry and top cladding geometry to maximize the induced refractive index change in the waveguide and reduce polarization dependence of the stress optic effect. Additionally, they will optimize the position and design/layout of the PZT electrodes that will maximize the induced stress and reduction of parasitic capacitance which inhibits high speed operation due to increased power consumption. The optimizations will result in high speed (50 MHz), compact (<2 mm), low power consuming PZT phase shifters.
Contact: Thomas Aukes, Kristiaan Bohm, Matthijn Dekkers
University of Twente (The Netherlands)
The University of Twente is a modern, entrepreneurial university, leading in the area of new technologies and a catalyst for change, innovation and progress in society. The UT has powerful research institutes that focus on nanotechnology, ICT, biomedical technology and technical medicine. The institutes combine scientific excellence with a keen eye for commercial knowledge valorisation (the transformation of complex knowledge into economic activity) and social applications: they are successful in generating spin-off businesses. The Laser Physics & Nonlinear Optics (LPNO) group of the University of Twente (Dept. Science and Technology, TNW) is member of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and of the Applied Nanophotonics (ANP) Cluster, carrying out fundamental research on light sources with a strong view on application-oriented goals through industrial partners.
Role in 3PEAT
UTwente is responsible for the modelling and development of the ultra-low linewidth laser source (<1 kHz) based on an InP-gain chip hybridly integrated on an external cavity on TriPleX. The envisioned circuit will be a standing wave cavity that will comprise 3 high Q-factor MRRs, a MZI and a loop mirror acting as the semi-transparent mirror of the laser, while UTwente will also characterize the hybrid lasers to identify the best performing designs. The laser source’s linewidth will be measured employing heterodyne and homodyne characterization methods.
Contact: Klaus Boller
Cordon Electronics Italia (Italy)
Cordon Electronics Italia leads in the support of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in the design, manufacture and integration of photonics and electronic products. Based in Milan, Italy, the company’s manufacturing services aims to optimize the manufacturing process, support client on prototyping and pre-series activity for new products, and perform design to cost program effectiveness. Currently, Cordon originally develops and manufactures also Microwave modules and transceivers up to 80 GHz primarily geared for the telecommunications and defence markets, and is now expanding its service to other photonic markets like medical and aerospace. Cordon provides photonics packaging and integration services with extensive state of the art know how and network (supply chain, equipment suppliers, universities and research institutes) gathered through European projects and the team members back ground. The gathered know how on photonic integration and packaging of components and modules based on Silicon Photonics, Indium Phosphide as well as hybrid integration technology platforms, is being made available for SME and large companies for packaging and product development service of photonic components and modules. Cordon offers custom packages to insure the best performance, but also generic packages when cost efficiency is critical, typically for (early) prototyping and low volume. If required, Cordon can develop and integrated front and back end electronics as well, making use of the acquired experience in development and production of microwave electronics.
Role in 3PEAT
Cordon is responsible for the definition of the methodologies and the process flow for the integration and packaging activities to ensure an efficient integration process taking into account the different interfaces, the large number of input/output waveguides and electrical connections. More specifically, Cordon will perform the main assembly and packaging work, delivering three packaged switching modules and three packaged LDV sensing modules.
Contact: Andrea Annoni, Antonello Vannucci, Marcello Tienforti
Optagon Photonics (Greece)
Optagon Photonics is a private company based in Athens, Greece. It was founded in 2016 by – what we believe we are – a group of highly motivated and experienced researchers and engineers in the fields of photonics, sensing, communications and signal processing. The core competence of the company associates with our ability to interface these fields and work along the innovation chain of photonics-enabled products from the concept idea to the prototype. Since its foundation, Optagon Photonics is in a business expansion phase, offering a broad range of solutions for the development of optical sensors in biomedical and food quality monitoring applications, and for the development of optical transceivers and switches in next generation communication systems. In order to do that, Optagon works and creates innovation in the following parts of the innovation chain: 1) Digital signal processing (DSP), 2) system integration, 3) photonic components design, and 4) optical subsystem design
Role in 3PEAT
In 3PEAT, Optagon is responsible for the hardware development of the control electronics for the switching and LDV sensing demonstrators and will be involved in the development of the control software and algorithms. More specifically, Optagon will be involved in the development of 1) the SDO platform that will control the active switching modules and connect with the control plane hierarchy of a DC network, 2) the algorithm for the control of the 2D optical phased array and 3) algorithms for the processing of the measurement data in the LDV modules.
Contact: Christos Kouloumentas, Panos Groumas
Mellanox Technologies Ltd (Israel)
Mellanox Technologies (NASDAQ: MLNX, TASE: MLNX) is a leading supplier of end-to-end InfiniBand and Ethernet interconnect solutions and services for servers and storage. Mellanox interconnect solutions increase data center efficiency by providing the highest throughput and lowest latency, delivering data faster to applications and unlocking system performance capability. Mellanox offers a choice of fast interconnect products: adapters, switches, software, cables and silicon that accelerate application runtime and maximize business results for a wide range of markets including high performance computing, enterprise data centers, Web 2.0, cloud, storage and financial services. Mellanox currently has more than 2,900 employees.
Role in 3PEAT
In 3PEAT, Mellanox is responsible for the system design and methodologies for integration and packaging processes of the optical switching and it will provide the high-level specifications for the optical switching modules according to the architecture and the dimensions of the reference DC networks. Mellanox will be involved in the definition of system testing methodologies and evaluation scenarios of the optical switching prototypes that will be performed in lab and quasi-real settings and they will assist by providing guidance in the development of the electronic control unit that will support the operation of 3PEAT prototypes. Further, Mellanox leads project dissemination and exploitation actions and represents the main exploitation route for the 3PEAT optical switching modules aiming to integrate 3PEAT technology to its product and system level - optical switching solutions for DC networks portfolio.
Contact: Paraskeuas Bakopoulos, Elad Mentovich, Dimitrios Kalavrouziotis
Polytec PT GmbH (Germany)
Polytec was founded in 1967 to distribute commercial laser technology and began to develop and manufacture innovative laser-based test and measurement instruments in the 1970’s. Today, Polytec is a global corporation with 400 employees and facilities in Europe and worldwide with a portfolio of self-developed, optical-measurement devices (laser-Doppler vibrometers (LDV), laser surface velocimeters, white-light interferometers and spectrometers). Polytec has a R&D department with 55 engineers, physicists, and computer scientists (ISO-9001 certified since 1994). Polytec has three business units: The Photonics unit, which distributes sophisticated opto-electronic systems and components in Europe, the Process Analytics unit, which markets spectrometer solutions, and the Optical Measurement Systems unit which markets optical sensors and devices developed and produced by Polytec. Advanced product development is a core strategic activity with new electro-optical systems being designed for analytical process measurement, noise analysis, and factory automation. Finding novel solutions for optical measurement tasks is the basis of the company’s success.
Role in 3PEAT
In 3PEAT, Polytec is responsible for the high-level specifications for the LDV modules according to the defined application scenarios, the processing algorithms of the measured data in the sensing prototypes based on standard software of its commercial line. More specifically, Polytec will contribute in the system testing methodologies and evaluation scenarios in lab settings and in application-specific testbeds at Polytec’s premises in quasi-real settings. Additionally, it will contribute to the development of the electronic controllers for both transmitter and receiver side of the LDV prototypes, and especially to the optical phased array controller of the final 3PEAT prototype. They will be also involved in the evaluation process of 3PEAT sensing prototypes and experimental measurements will be compared to commercial LDV modules from Polytec, while they will participate in dissemination and exploitation activities of 3PEAT technology aiming to integrate the sensing part in its LDV product portfolio bringing this new compact solution to the sensing market.
Contact: Volker Seyfried, Alexander Dräbenstedt, Marco Wolfer