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PhoeniX Software has released Version 5.1.4 of their award winning OptoDesigner suite of tools. The new version of OptoDesigner focuses on adding more automation to the design layout process while providing the foundation for the eventual synthesis, placement and routing of full photonic circuits. The enhancements not only provide productivity improvements for current users, but also lay down infrastructure for more powerful automation in coming releases.

A key feature added in the release is the automatic generation of boundary port information for both generic and user defined photonic building blocks. Users can now make use of these boundary ports in their placement and routing algorithms to automatically adjust component placements and waveguide routing as circuit parameters are tweaked by designers and/or synthesis algorithms.

In addition to reference able boundary ports, the new software also adds a feature called waypoint-assisted Manhattan routing. As the name implies, Manhattan routing is metal or waveguide routing in which all straight connectors run either horizontally or vertically, connected by corners. Instead of manually defining a series of bends and straights, waypoint-assisted routing allows one to simply define a few waypoints through which the routing must run. The connections between the waypoints are then automatically routed. Waypoint-assisted routing can also be combined with boundary ports whereby the waypoints can be specified relative to boundary ports of components and other waveguides. As components move and adjust their size, routing automatically adjusts to accommodate new components sizes and positions.

A third enhancement enables what is known as phase-aware waveguide routing. This feature enables PDK storage of effective index and group index as a function of the wavelength and the width and radius of a waveguide. This information can be combined with optimization routines to automatically route waveguides that have specific phase relationships with other waveguides. Before this, calculating the optical length of a complex waveguide path was extremely difficult. The new feature enables designers to be able to do this through a simple command. The information is also a key building block for future photonic synthesis algorithms that will be able to use these phase relationships when synthesizing circuits.

The 5.1.4 release is available now for download to all licensed users of OptoDesigner from the PhoeniX Software support site. The advanced routing features are enabled as part of an optional Advanced Connectors and Routing add-on module to OptoDesigner.