Photonics Integrated Circuits

Light is the source of life on earth. It has been the guiding force for human species since they evolved on the surface of the earth. Humans have been trying to harness light energy for improving their living environment for over thousands of years. It’s the ability of the humans to visually see things which has inspired their imagination to create technology by understanding the working of things from nature.

In the last two centuries with the advent of modernity and technological breakthroughs light has become integral part of our day to day life. Today, transmission of visual images is a common phenomenon. Light engulfs every technological aspects of life from medicine, photography, guidance systems, navigation systems, industrial manufacturing etc. Generating light, transmitting light and manipulating light properties for various applications has contributed to the development of many technologies like fiber optic communication systems, laser based engineering systems, optics, light based diagnostics & therapeutic systems, sensor systems etc.

Technological limitations posed by electronics based devices in-terms of miniaturization in further reducing dimensional aspects of devices and systems, have led to considering optical integrated circuits in recent decades. Similar to Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSI) using electron as medium for transmissions of signal, Photon as a signal carrier in integrated circuit using basic optical devices has evolved as Photonics Integrated Circuits (PIC).

Figure 1: Photonics Integrated Circuit.
PIC based Integrated Circuits have many advantages compared to electronics based circuit design. This is an emerging technology in tandem with electronics. Though there are specific detailed courses to groom professionals in physics, semiconductor technology, microfabrication and Computer Aided Tools for photonic circuit design, there is need for professionals who can design and fabricate such PIC devices.

Traditionally most of the domains related to light based technology have been much narrowed down to specialization. But with increasing requirement of bandwidth and transfer of huge amount of data, light based technology today encompasses opto-electronics, photonics, optics, fiber optics, biomedical optics, laser, optical data storage, quantum optics, nano-optics and optical computing. Developing these systems on a micro and nano scale has resulted in separate domain which encompasses all the disciplines at miniaturized dimensions as PIC. This ever evolving PIC discipline has seen exponential growth in last one decade. This has resulted in VLSI CAD tool companies to include PIC design as part of CAD. Tools like CADENCE, SYNOPYS which were traditionally focusing on VLSI design have today PIC component as a part.

For an aspiring engineer who wants to play with light and design new age technologies could basically start with engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunication. This has to be followed with specialization in Photonics, Engineering Physics, Fiber optics, at Masters Level. Masters degree can be followed by a doctoral degree in a focused area. In recent times the demand for engineers who are trained and well-groomed in Photonics has increased manifold around the world. Especially for those who are interested in Physics as well as application oriented engineering, Photonics could be that domain which allows the individual to execute his/her idea.

Prof.Rabinder Henry
Director
Pralhad P Chhabria Research Center (PPCRC), Pune
For innovation and research visit us at
www.ppcrc.in
www.isquareit.edu.in
www.famt.ac.in

Prof. Rabinder. Henry is currently the Director at Pralhad P.Chhabria Research Center, Pune (A Project of Finolex). His thrust areas of work have been in transforming the education system specifically in Engineering Higher Education by making it more applied intelligence oriented. Formerly been Director for Engineering Colleges and also been CTO in the industry. He has a Master of Science Degrees in RF & Microwave Engineering (1) and Photonics (2) from Technical University Dresden and Master of Science in Medical Systems Engineering (3) form University of Magdeburg, Germany. He has worked with Fraunhofer Institute for Photonics Microsystems, Institute for Mikrosystemtechnik, Magdbeurg and Helmholtz Zentrum Rossendorf, Germany. His areas of interest include Microwave Engineering, Microfabrication, Bio implants, Photonics, Nanotechnology and convergence of technology. Professional member of many bodies IEEE, VLSI Society of India, ISTE, and ISC etc. Established Institutes at Meerut, Jaipur and Pune.

His profile has been published by Marquis Publications in Who’s Who in World 2009. Global Young Leader by UNDP (United Nations Development Program) for Peace Initiative in 2008. Awarded by Society for Reliability Engineering, Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM) for Innovative Applications of Information Technology in Interdisciplinary areas in Scienceand Technology, December 2009.

Convergence of technologies especially Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed the society in last 30 years. Though the first computers accessible to even common man made their way only by 1971, the way miniaturization of electronics devices have evolved has resulted in wired and wireless world communicating every second. The rise of handheld devices like mobile phones, tablets etc have added more mobility to human beings in span of a decade rather than transportation systems based mobility in centuries. All kinds of data whether video, audio or sensor data are generated and communicated every second. Computational science which is constantly evolving has made computing faster and faster while it innovates they way computation is done. Applied computing has found it importance in every aspect of life from modeling of apparels to modeling of space systems to modeling of universe to even modeling life. Intelligent computing has made design, operation and control of living & non-living things a daily affair.

Computational capabilities of computing machines have reached crescendo in establishing a platform for Virtual world which has been imagined by human brain itself. The evolution of digital world starting from transistors invented in 1947, has now reached a paradigm shift in how the humans have created a new world for themselves.  Self-learning, self-controlling and self-communicating standalone intelligent systems have enabled entirely different aspect of view point in recent years.

Virtual reality uses the programming abilities to create totally new environment or replicate existing environment. This is coupled with ability of the user to interact and interface virtual objects and spaces in that environment. Graphics, games and simulations have fled open the gates wherein each individual recreates his imagination as virtual world. In similar way augmented reality has enabled users to directly or indirectly view real environment and at the same time interact with it using computer generate audio, video or touch. Basically the computer programs enable the user to supplement the real world environment with objects created through computer. In a broader sense Virtual reality, intelligent systems and automation will slowly replace different aspects of industry, human interaction and progress of the human species at large.

In this context, India’s Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Service’s (ITeS) industry have transformed the landscape in last three decades. The total economy of India has been refreshed by IT service industry since liberalization in 1991. It has almost become high quality but low cost back office of many multinational corporations providing support and services. But in recent time’s automation, virtual reality and intelligent systems are propelling the industry towards a work culture wherein developers, programmers and hardware engineers have to work hand- in-hand. The ever evolving mobile communication technology, Internet of Things, automated & intelligent industry, digital manufacturing, healthcare, entertainment, commerce and virtual reality based life have necessitated a new kind of professionals who have understanding of certain programming languages, maintain a database and also interact with computing, communicating and controlling embedded platforms.

Considering these factors and realizing the importance of technology shift, I2IT Trust/Society has setup a research center in the name of  Late.Shri.P.P.Chhabria , Founder-Chairman of Finolex Industries to carry forward his  vision. He being a person who was ahead of times substantiates the importance of research and development in futuristic areas. Along with traditional way of academic culture in India like institutions run by I²IT trust including engineering colleges at Pune and Ratnagiri, this new center would focus on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary areas of Science ,Engineering and Technology under one roof. This not for profit platform of I²IT trust abodes and supports high end research and development for the country and the world at large broadly categorized under The research areas are grouped under major themes of Intelligent Systems, Engineering Systems, Electronic & Photonic System, Cognitive Systems and Applied Materials Systems. The research includes areas like IOT, 3D-printing, Virtual reality, Nanobiotechnology, Photonics Integrated circuits, Robotics, Nanosatellites and optogenetics. Please do visit (www.ppcrc.in) for details and looking forward to readers, industrial colleagues and academicians support in this new endeavor.

Author Name:

Ms.Aruna Katara

President

I²IT Trust /Society

!! Robotics, The ultimate road ahead of human species!!

Robotics has been fascinating the mind-set of human species since the last century. It has
redefined the way humans have been advancing their lives. The word “robota” meaning work
was coined by Czech playwright and author Karl Capek in 1921. Seemingly, today robotics is
defining every aspect of human life and how humans are shaping the future of the world and
the universe at large.
First generation robotics was all about automation of mechanical structure performing
ordinary functions meant for humans. With the advent of electricity and electronics,
programmable manipulators referred to as industrial robots performing dull, difficult, dirty
and dangerous tasks laid the foundation for industrial revolution and manufacturing
industries. This era is referred as second generation robotics. The third generation of robotics
began with the development of computing platforms like microprocessors, microcontrollers
and reconfigurable computing devices. The fast computing devices resulted in the growth of
domestic robotics and completely automated the functioning industries by performing
adventurous, augmentative, and adaptive tasks not feasible for humans.
The fourth generation robotics based on artificial intelligence, machine learning and selflearning
systems coupled with rapid advancement in miniaturization of devices, sensors,
driver systems, and actuators have resulted in lighter, smarter and intelligent systems. Space
travel, deep sea exploration, defence vehicles, drones, medical surgery, domestic life and
entertainment have been transformed by intelligent robotics systems.
The fifth generation of robotics combines reconfigurable mechanical structures like
transformers, biology-inspired systems and materials like cyborgs, intelligent integrative
humanoids, and material science to replicate not just functionality of living things like
humans but also extending the capabilities which were not possible decades ago. The real
reason behind the human progress is to be defined by convergence of information technology,
biotechnology, cognitive technology and material technology.
Recently, there has been a drastic change in Information Technology (IT) and IT Enabled
Service (ITES) Industry wherein self-learning systems and machine learning are slowly
replacing service professionals. These small steps are the reflections of how the future
industry would work. Combined with digital and automated manufacturing systems, Robotics
and Artificial Intelligence will reshape the coming decades similar to what has been done
with regard to wireless communication industry (mobile phones) and its implications on
society at large.
The recent breakthroughs in brain machine interfaces and the ease of transferring information
between a digital system and living brain in tandem with virtual reality in a two way
communication system provides capabilities for the human species to explore space and time
as never before.

Figure 1: Multidisciplinary aspect of Robotics
For an aspiring student who has genuine interest to design and built robots one can take
different paths to achieve the goal. First and foremost one must have solid foundation in basic
engineering like electronics, communication, mechanical and information technology. Based
on this basic knowledge one can start building one’s career. Since Robotics and artificial
intelligence are multidisciplinary fields, it’s better to specialize in one domain like
programming skills, embedded system development, basic discrete electronics, or wireless
communication systems or reconfigurable mechanical system. But the basic requirement is to
have good understanding of formal science that is mathematics and logic. Being a master of
one and jack of a couple of other fields allows an engineer to be not just a skilled labourer but
also knowledgeable and creative. In the transient scenario in the Information Technology,
Manufacturing, transportation systems and mobile computing industries, Machine learning
and mobile communication based hand held devices are totally transforming the working
environment. This requires additional understanding of Artificial intelligence (AI).
Please do follow up with the article on intelligent systems to understand more about AI.
For further information regarding how to establish an exciting career please visit us at
www.ppcrc.in

Author Name:
Prof. Rabinder Henry
Director
Pralhad P Chhabria Research Center, Pune
www.ppcrc.in
www.isquareit.edu.in
www.famt.ac.in

Prof. Rabinder. Henry is currently the Director at Pralhad P.Chhabria Research Center, Pune (A Project of Finolex). His
thrust areas of work have been in transforming the education system specifically in Engineering Higher Education by
making it more applied intelligence oriented. Formerly been Director for Engineering Colleges and also been CTO in the
industry. He has a Master of Science Degrees in RF & Microwave Engineering (1) and Photonics (2) from Technical
University Dresden and Master of Science in Medical Systems Engineering (3) form University of Magdeburg, Germany. He
has worked with Fraunhofer Institute for Photonics Microsystems, Institute for Mikrosystemtechnik, Magdbeurg and
Helmholtz Zentrum Rossendorf, Germany. His areas of interest include Microwave Engineering, Microfabrication, Bio
implants, Photonics, Nanotechnology and convergence of technology. Professional member of many bodies IEEE, VLSI
Society of India, ISTE, and ISC etc. Established Institutes at Meerut, Jaipur and Pune.
His profile has been published by Marquis Publications in Who’s Who in World 2009. Global Young Leader by UNDP
(United Nations Development Program) for Peace Initiative in 2008. Awarded by Society for Reliability Engineering,
Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM) for Innovative Applications of Information Technology in Interdisciplinary
areas in Science and Technology, December 2009.