Photonic Network Device Project

Silicon (Si) photonics is a platform technology for achieving a variety of photonic integrated functions required for optical signal transmission using Si fine-processing technologies for fabricating large-scale integrated electronic circuits (LSIs). Si photonics will enable us to converge and integrate electronic and photonic circuits in the future, which should lead to breakthroughs in ultra-compact and cost-effective photonics devices. By combining the deep knowledge accumulated by NTT Laboratories in Si optical waveguide physics and optical circuit design technologies such as silica-based optical waveguides, we will develop Si photonics optical transmitter/receiver integrated devices for practical use in high-speed, large-capacity network applications.

Semiconductor optical modulators are devices for constructing compact, low-power, and economical ultra-high-speed, digital coherent communication systems. NTT has already developed a compact, dual-polarization IQ modulator using indium phosphide (InP) semiconductor material that is suitable for achieving small chips and low drive voltage. NTT is developing even smaller InP optical modulators with enhanced performance for use in compact optical transceivers toward next-generation bit rates beyond 400 Gbit/s.

• The automation of optical network control is desirable for the efficient use of communication facilities or recovery from disasters. This automation can be realized by both control software and optical switch hardware, which routes optical signals in designated directions.
• We are studying an optical switch using NTT's original silica-glass-based optical integrated circuit technology for optical network automation.
• We aim to realize the next generation optical network by utilizing our expertise related to silica-based optical integrated circuits.