A 7th Framework Programme Collaborative Project funded by the European Union
APACHE Consortium
The APACHE project consists of Europe's top academic and industrial partners with unique photonic technology integration capabilities, extensive know-how in simulation software development and expertise in the design, development and performance evaluation of high-speed photonic sub-systems.
Institute of Communication & Computer Systems, National Technical University of Athens - Greece
ICCS/NTUA is the project coordinator and participates in APACHE with the Photonics Communications Research Laboratory (PCRL). PCRL was founded in 1995 its research activities focus on the design and development of photonic subsystems for optical communication systems ranging from high-capacity optical transmission, dynamic optical label and burst switched networks to multi-wavelength systems for wavelength division multiplexing networks. PCRL also investigates the design and development of new photonic-based devices for terahertz/photonic communications and sensing applications. PCRL is a fully equipped laboratory with up to 160 Gb/s system testbeds and state-of-the-art lgithwave test & measurement equipment. Within APACHE, PCRL is responsible for the design, development and performance evaluation of the developed APACHE transmitters, receivers and regenerators.
Centre for Integrated Photonics Ltd - UK
CIP is a SME whose capability is based on 30 years experience as a world leading photonics research organization. This research was initially carried out within British Telecommunications plc, with the photonics research group being acquired by Corning Inc. in 2000 to form the Corning Research Centre (CRC). In January 2003, the company was sold to the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the facility was renamed the Centre for Integrated Photonics to reflect its proven capability to turn advanced research ideas into manufacturable products for the photonics industry. Its primary business is with industry for R&D and pilot-scale production and universities for research projects. CIP has significant presence and a proven track record in European projects as an advanced photonics technology provider. CIP will be one of the main technology providers to the APACHE project, continuing the successful path of several other European projects. CIP will lutilise its advanced hybrid integration capabilities as well as InP device development and take the lead in exploiting and commercialising the optical technology developed in APACHE for maximum impact.
Heinrich Hertz Institute - Germany
HHI was founded in 1928 as the Heinrich Hertz Institute for Research on Oscillations. Since then, HHI has been on the forefront of wireline and wireless communications research. Recent work focuses on optical communications, both component and system topics, on H.264 video compression, and on wireless broadband systems. HHI has achieved several world records in optical communications and holds numerous patents. Since 2002, HHI is a member of the Fraunhofer Society, which focuses on applied research of direct utility to private and public enterprises and of wide benefit to society. It currently employs more then 200 people and has founded 10 spin-offs. HHI will be the main technology provider for InP based laser and modulator components. Based on the competence of actual laser and modulator development HHI will develop laser- and modulator-arrays for flip chip mounting for hybrid integration within the CIP module concept.
Research and Educational Laboratory in Information Technology - Greece
AIT is a centre of excellence in ICT research and graduate education. The main role of AIT as a research and educational institute is to provide high quality research in the field of telecoms and IT, as well as training through three post-graduate educational programs and special professional courses focused on the industrial needs. AIT participates in APACHE project with its ‘Networks and Optical Communications’ (NOC) research group. The group maintains a broad range of research activities and technical expertise supported by a state-of-the-art laboratory with advanced equipment and facilities. AIT will be involved in the parameter extraction and modelling of the APACHE transmitters and receivers. AIT will also join resources with ICCS/NTUA and will combine APACHE devices in a transmission environment and assess their performance. The recirculating loop facilities of AIT will enable the assessment and cascadeability characterization of the APACHE devices under a variety of different system/network conditions, giving valuable feedback to technology partners and system vendor of the project.
Ericsson Ltd - UK
Ericsson Ltd. is a company in the Ericsson Group - the largest supplier of mobile systems in the world and is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. In core systems it is a leading provider of optical networking technology for public telecom networks and is an innovator of SDH, Ethernet and WDM solutions in both fixed and mobile networks. It has a growing global customer base for optical solutions with well over 370,000 installed network elements with more than 350 customers in 100 countries. Ericsson’s Optical Networks Product Area and Development Unit in UK is involved in research, development, system design, and system proving of several Ericsson optical transport and switching products, and in particular, the “design in” and performance assessment of innovative photonic devices in DWDM systems. Ericsson UK will carry out evaluation of prototype APACHE modules to evaluate performance characteristics over typical test conditions for use in systems applications and will commit its system-level infrastructures and DWDM transmission testbeds.
Ericsson AB - Sweden
Ericsson Research within Ericsson AB in Sweden employs about 500 researchers and has expertise in general architecture, networking, mobility, security, radio access networks, network management, media flows and context management, as well as general systems issues and project management. The Broadband and Transport (BBT) unit within Ericsson Research contributes with expertise within fixed access networks, as well as transport/core networks. The Microwave and High Speed Research Center (MHSERC) within BBT is involved in research on microwave circuits design, packaging and interconnect, as well as photonic interconnects. The department has ongoing efforts developing SiGe and CMOS circuits for microwave and mm-wave applications. Ericsson AB brings to the consortium its expertise in flip chip packaging and interconnect, with an industrial perspective. The aim is to achieve a concept that is highly cost-effective therefore the focus will be on producibility aspects and potential for scaling to volume production. Ericsson AB provides knowledge and experience on reliability assessment and failure analysis which will be essential in ensuring a feasible application range for the concept. Ericsson AB is involved in standardisation efforts in this field, and thus provides Apache with the most current development in this arena.
PhoeniX B.V.
PhoeniX B.V. is a privately held company based in Enschede, the Netherlands. The company was founded in 2003 by two co-founders of BBV Software B.V. (started 1991). PhoeniX has significant presence in the photonics industry as supplier and developer of state of the art photonic simulation tools at the physical layer. In addition to that it delivers chip- and maskdesign software and a manufacturing execution system dedicated to micro- and nanotechnology fabrication processes. PhoeniX leads the simulation and modeling activities of the project and will act as the design and simulation tool provider to CIP and HHI. It will develop dedicated software to overcome the new challenges within the APACHE project.