Student project: Optically Connected HPC and DC - Transmission System Simulations

Optical interconnects are emerging as a key solution for high-performance computing (HPC) systems and data centers (DCs). By replacing traditional electrical wiring with optical connections, these technologies enable significantly higher data rates, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency. Such advancements are critical for next-generation hardware supporting AI-driven applications. At imec, we are actively exploring innovative optical transmission technologies that integrate both electronic ICs and photonic ICs. Our system-level simulations involve communication theories, optical/electrical devices, and analog/digital signal processing.

You will be working on the system level simulation of an optical communication system, implementing the IMEC solutions such as the intensity modulation direct detection (IMDD) approach and the coherent approach:

• Perform simulations of optical transmission schemes (IMDD and coherent) using VPIPhotonics (a simulation tool).
• Create VPI-based sub-modules (e.g. MZ, Ring, and EAM modulators) for system simulations.
• Conduct performance evaluations (BER, OSNR, eye diagrams, constellation plots).
• Optimize system parameters for better transmission performance in VPI software.
• Document findings and prepare technical reports.

You will be working on cutting-edge research on a topic that is highly relevant to both academic research and industrial applications. To help you in this journey, we offer a flexible environment where you can be the leader of your own research while at the same time having the support of world-leading experts from digital signal processing and photonic system designs to complete your tasks. As part of the PICSYS team in IMEC-Netherlands you will have opportunities to learn from some of the best minds in photonic integrated circuits and optical communication systems as well as other research domains. You will be supervised by world-renown Photonics-researchers. You will collaborate with experts in the field of photonics (e.g. LiDAR, Datacom, Optical Sensing…).

• You are a MSc student with Optics/Photonics/Optical communication/Electrical Engineering or other relevant background.
• You are a master student with European citizenship or a non-EU student but studying at a Dutch university.

• You are self-starter and able to work independently.
• You must have programming skills (e.g. Python, Matlab) and skills in digital signal processing.
• Having optical communication fundamentals (IMDD and or coherent) is a must.
• Having knowledge of optical devices (e.g. optical modulators) is a plus.