# US 12,223,245 B2 · Virtual environment for implementing integrated photonics assemblies

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- Number: US 12,223,245 B2
- Document ID: US12223245B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/922,321
- Filed: 2021-04-29
- Published: 2023-06-15
- Granted: 2025-02-11
- Earliest claimed: 2020-04-29
- Applicants: SiPhox Inc.
- Inventors: Diedrik Rene Vermeulen; Michael Dubrovsky
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12223245B2

## CPC

- G06F 30/3308: using simulation
- G02B 6/12004: {Combinations of two or more optical elements}
- G02B 6/423: {using guiding surfaces for the alignment}
- G06F 30/31: Design entry, e.g. editors specifically adapted for circuit design
- G06F 30/367: Design verification, e.g. using simulation, simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis [SPICE], direct methods or relaxation methods
- G06F 30/38: Circuit design at the mixed level of analogue and digital signals
- G06F 2111/20: Configuration CAD, e.g. designing by assembling or positioning modules selected from libraries of predesigned modules
- G06F 2115/08: Intellectual property [IP] blocks or IP cores
- H05K 1/0286: {Programmable, customizable or modifiable circuits (by programmable non-printed jumper connections H05K3/222)}
- H05K 2203/049: Wire bonding
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

Systems and methods for generating a virtual environment for implementing an integrated photonics assembly are presented. An example system can include one or more processors and a memory coupled with the processors, where the processor executes a plurality of modules stored in the memory. The plurality of modules can include a user interface module for deploying one or more virtual photonic integrated subcircuits within the virtual environment, in which the virtual environment is configured to enable coupling of at least two virtual photonic integrated subcircuits. The coupling of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits can form a virtual integrated photonics assembly. The modules can include a library module comprising a plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits. One or more virtual photonic integrated subcircuits can include a performance characteristic. The performance characteristic can represent a real-world performance characteristic of a pre-fabricated physical photonic integrated subcircuit corresponding to the virtual photonic integrated subcircuit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for generating a virtual environment for implementing an integrated photonics assembly, the system comprising:
one or more processors; and
a memory coupled with the one or more processors, wherein the processor executes a plurality of modules stored in the memory, and wherein the plurality of modules comprises:
a user interface module for deploying one or more virtual photonic integrated subcircuits within the virtual environment, the virtual environment configured to enable coupling of at least two virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, wherein the coupling of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits comprises an alignment of at least one coupling mechanism of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, and further forms a virtual integrated photonics assembly; and
a library module comprising a plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, wherein:
at least one of the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits comprises a performance characteristic,
the performance characteristic represents a real-world performance characteristic of a pre-fabricated physical photonic integrated subcircuit corresponding to the at least one virtual photonic integrated subcircuit, and
at least one of the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits is rotatable and is configured for rotational alignment using a pick and place tool to constrain rotation relative to a lateral alignment feature which includes a deep trench etch;
wherein the user interface module is further configured to provide feedback to the user to highlight proper circuit construction based on the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits of the library module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a simulation module configured to generate a performance characteristic of the virtual integrated photonics assembly, wherein the performance characteristic of the virtual integrated photonics assembly represents a real-world performance characteristic of a physical integrated photonics assembly corresponding to the virtual integrated photonics assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the pre-fabricated physical photonic integrated subcircuit contributes to a greater fabrication yield of:
(i) a physical integrated photonics assembly having the pre-fabricated physical photonic integrated subcircuit having the performance characteristic, wherein the performance characteristic is of a type, than
(ii) a monolithic photonics integrated circuit having a performance characteristic of a same type.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises:
a selection panel configured to (i) display and (ii) enable a user to select from a set of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, wherein the displayed set of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits is received from the library module; and
a control bar configured to enable a user to at least one of: (a) reset the virtual environment, (b) save the virtual integrated photonics assembly in the memory, (c) simulate the performance characteristic, or (d) submit an order for the physical integrated photonics assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits comprises at least one of a virtual III-V semiconductor subcircuit, a virtual nitride-based semiconductor subcircuit, a virtual graphene-based subcircuit, a virtual hybrid subcircuit, a 15 virtual heterogeneous subcircuit, a hybrid integration subcircuit comprising Ill-V semiconductor materials, a virtual lithium niobite subcircuit a virtual optical fiber-based subcircuit, a virtual active subcircuit, a virtual garnet subcircuit, a virtual silicon photonic subcircuit, a virtual glass based subcircuit, a virtual electron beam-fabricated subcircuit, a virtual fiber-to-chip coupling subcircuit, a virtual MEMS-photonic subcircuit, a virtual phase change-based subcircuit, or a 20 virtual passive subcircuit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to provide feedback to a user upon coupling a first virtual photonic integrated subcircuit to a second virtual photonic integrated subcircuit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the performance characteristic comprises an optical 30 transmission as a function of wavelength.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein an insertion of at least one virtual photonic integrated subcircuit dynamically alters the virtual environment.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a template library module comprising a plurality of virtual templates, each virtual template comprising at least two virtual photonic integrated subcircuits coupled together to form a pre-configured virtual integrated photonics assembly.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the virtual templates comprise at least one of a virtual laser photonics assembly, a virtual modulator photonics assembly, a virtual switch photonics assembly, a virtual transceiver photonics assembly, or a virtual polarization photonics assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual environment is configured to simulate at least one of (i) light transfer or (ii) light reception between a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit of the plurality of subcircuits.

### Claim 12

A method for generating a virtual environment for implementing an integrated photonics assembly, the method comprising:
providing a user interface for deploying one or more virtual photonic integrated subcircuits within the virtual environment, the virtual environment configured to enable coupling of at least two virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, wherein the coupling of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits comprises an alignment of at least one coupling mechanism of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits and further forms a virtual integrated photonics assembly;
providing a library module comprising a plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, wherein:
at least one of the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits comprises a performance characteristic,
the performance characteristic represents a real-world performance characteristic of a pre-fabricated physical photonic integrated subcircuit corresponding to the at least one virtual photonic integrated subcircuit, and
at least one of the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits is rotatable and is configured for rotational alignment using a pick and place tool to constrain rotation relative to a lateral alignment feature which includes a deep trench etch;
receiving, by the user interface, at least one subcircuit from the library module;
displaying, by the user interface, the received subcircuit upon selection by a user; and
providing, by the user interface, feedback to the user to highlight proper circuit construction based on the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
providing a simulation module configured to generate a performance characteristic of the virtual integrated photonics assembly, wherein the performance characteristic of the virtual integrated photonics assembly represents a real-world performance characteristic of a physical integrated photonics assembly corresponding to the virtual integrated photonics assembly.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the pre-fabricated physical photonic integrated subcircuit contributes to a greater fabrication yield of:
(i) a physical integrated photonics assembly having the pre-fabricated physical photonic integrated subcircuit having the performance characteristic, wherein the performance characteristic is of a type, than
(ii) a monolithic photonics integrated circuit having a performance characteristic of a same type.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the user interface further comprises:
a selection panel configured to (i) display and (ii) enable a user to select from a set of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, wherein the displayed set of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits is received from the library module; and
a control bar configured to enable a user to at least one of: (a) reset the virtual environment, (b) save the virtual integrated photonics assembly in a memory, (c) simulate the performance characteristic, or (d) submit an order for the physical integrated photonics assembly.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits comprises at least one of a virtual III-V semiconductor subcircuit, a virtual nitride-based semiconductor subcircuit, a virtual graphene-based subcircuit, a virtual hybrid subcircuit, a virtual heterogeneous subcircuit, a hybrid integration subcircuit comprising III-V semiconductor materials, a virtual lithium niobite subcircuit, a virtual optical fiber-based subcircuit, a virtual active subcircuit, a virtual garnet subcircuit, a virtual silicon photonic subcircuit, a virtual glass based subcircuit, a virtual electron beam-fabricated subcircuit, a virtual fiber-to-chip coupling subcircuit, a virtual MEMS-photonic subcircuit, a virtual phase change-based subcircuit, or a virtual passive subcircuit.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
providing feedback, via the user interface, to a user upon coupling a first virtual photonic integrated subcircuit to a second virtual photonic integrated subcircuit.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the performance characteristic comprises an optical transmission as a function of wavelength.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
dynamically altering the virtual environment upon an insertion of at least one virtual photonic integrated subcircuit.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
a template library module comprising a plurality of virtual templates, each virtual template comprising at least two virtual photonic integrated subcircuits coupled together to form a pre-configured virtual integrated photonics assembly.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the virtual templates comprise at least one of a virtual laser photonics assembly, a virtual modulator photonics assembly, a virtual switch photonics assembly, a virtual transceiver photonics assembly, or a virtual polarization photonics assembly.

### Claim 22 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the virtual environment is configured to simulate at least one of (i) light transfer or (ii) light reception between a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit of the plurality of subcircuits.

### Claim 23

A method for implementing an integrated photonics assembly in a virtual environment, the method comprising:
displaying, on a user interface for deploying one or more virtual photonic integrated subcircuits within the virtual environment, (a) a selection panel configured to display and enable a user to select from a set of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, (b) a workspace configured to receive one or more virtual photonic integrated subcircuits and to display at least one virtual photonic integrated subcircuits in a virtual environment, and (c) a control bar configured to enable a user to at least one of reset the virtual environment, save the virtual integrated photonics assembly in a memory, simulate a performance characteristic, or submit an order for a physical integrated photonics assembly;
accessing, by the selection panel, a library of virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, at least one of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits having a performance characteristic corresponding to a physical modular photonic integrated subcircuit, wherein at least one of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits is rotatable and configured for rotational alignment using a pick and place tool to constrain rotation relative to a lateral alignment feature which includes a deep trench etch;
forming, in the workspace, a virtual integrated photonics assembly from at least two virtual photonic integrated subcircuits, wherein the at least two virtual photonic integrated subcircuits are coupled and wherein the coupling comprises an alignment of at least one coupling mechanism of the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits;
providing, by the user interface, feedback to the user to highlight proper circuit construction based on the virtual photonic integrated subcircuits; and
providing a performance characteristic of the virtual integrated photonics assembly to the user via the user interface.