The 'ACCESS' Project: Network Access in Optical Communications Systems.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
Researchers in the Engineering Department of Cambridge University have developed techniques for real-time phase-only holography utilising Liquid Crystal over Silicon (LCoS) technology. This appears to be the most versatile method of optical switching available. It makes possible scalable low-loss multicasting, wavefront control and even programmable control of noise fields. Because it combines a number of functions into a single flexible, programmable module and enables real-time configuration and network management, the holographic LCoS module has significant advantages over competing technologies. As the bandwidth requirements of telecommunications networks increase, optical fibres will be deployed nearer to the customer which will require each neighbourhood or building complex to have such an optical interconnect, providing a large potential market for the module.Previous work by the applicants led to the first LCoS device designed for operation in the telecommunications c-band. This proposal is intended to develop the LCoS research devices and incorporate the technology into a functional demonstrator.
Publications
Lu T
(2015)
Design of a low-cost and compact 1 × 5 wavelength-selective switch for access networks.
in Applied optics
Robertson B
(2014)
Demonstration of Multi-Casting in a 1 × 9 LCOS Wavelength Selective Switch
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
Robertson B
(2012)
Application of the fractional Fourier transform to the design of LCOS based optical interconnects and fiber switches.
in Applied optics
Robertson B
(2012)
Use of wavefront encoding in optical interconnects and fiber switches for cross talk mitigation
in Applied Optics
White I
(2016)
High-Speed Board-Level Polymer Optical Sub-Systems
Yang H
(2013)
A non-intrusive in situ method of optical beam profiling in LCOS-based optical fiber switches
in Optics and Lasers in Engineering
Yang H
(2013)
Origin of Transient Crosstalk and Its Reduction in Phase-only LCOS Wavelength Selective Switches
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
Description | A prototype wavelength selective switch based on liquid crystal on silicon technology was developed for telecom network applications The switch uses reconfigurable phase holograms to steer the light, and is capable of routing an optical signal from one input fibre to one of nine output fibres. Advances in both the optical design of the switch and in hologram optimization allowed us to demonstrate multi-casting (routing light to more than one output fibre), and static and dynamic crosstalk reduction. |
Exploitation Route | The optical and hologram design results are not only applicable to telecom network switches. Other areas that might benefit from the project's advances in multi-casting and crosstalk reduction include switches for data centres, sensor networks, optical power distribution for laser based manufacturing and for image projection systems, and medical photonics. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Environment,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The technology demonstrated during the ACCESS project has led to the setting up of a company, ROADMap Systems Ltd. The company is currently developing wavelength selective switches for the telecom network. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Converged Optical and Wireless Access Networks (COALESCE) |
Amount | £1,373,034 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P003990/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | Finisar |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Finisar |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 01/2012 |
End | 12/2012 |
Description | Finisar |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Finisar |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 01/2012 |
End | 12/2012 |
Company Name | ROADMap Systems Ltd |
Description | RoadMap Systems is a spin-out from the University of Cambridge. Professor Daping Chu's group have significant expertise in Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) technology developed over the last 15 years. With exclusive access to key IP and know-how, ROADMap Systems is developing Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) technology for use in agile optical telecom networks. A seed round of £500,000 was completed in August 2014 |
Year Established | 2013 |
Impact | NA |
Website | http://www.roadmapsystems.co.uk/ |