Agile Ultra-Scale Communications Using Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generation and Measurement

TeraGEAR aims at exploring and verifying the innovation potential of a novel class of optical signal-processing systems that might be of transformative impact to optical communications. On a technical level, the project builds upon novel schemes for optical arbitrary waveform generation and measurement (OAWG/OAWM) that combine advanced photonic integrated circuits (PIC) with chip-scale frequency comb sources and that can address two key challenges of optical communications: The testing and characterization of high-speed transceivers with symbol rates approaching or even exceeding 200 GBd, and the agile assignment of physical-layer resources in software-defined optical networks. TeraGEAR will focus on analyzing the innovation potential of the envisaged schemes, building upon a unique and highly distinct value proposition with clear advantages over competing solutions. Aiming at a start-up company, we will pursue a two-step strategy, exploiting the strong complementarity of the addressed challenges on the market side: While test and measurement equipment is a performance-driven high-margin market that is well suited as an entry point for novel technologies with disruptive performance advantages, optical transceivers and communication networks offer high volumes that allow to scale the business once the technology base has been established. Beyond the direct techno-economic impact, the TeraGEAR concepts might be key to sustain the evolution of powerful communication infrastructures that build the foundation of modern society.While the technological foundations have been established in the framework of the ERC Consolidator Grant TeraSHAPE, the focus of TeraGEAR will be on exploring the associated application and market potential, on developing concepts for viable products, and on formulating a business plan and an implementation strategy. The project will rely on close interaction with industrial lead customers, mediated by an external industry expert.