Arrow Electronics is teaming up with Singapore-based startup LightSpeed Photonics to speed up the development of optics-embedded processors that deliver superior data bandwidth capability and processing performance.
Modern computing systems today demand better data processing and transmission capabilities with higher speeds, higher energy efficiency, and greater scalability at a lower cost of manufacturing and ownership.
A diverse integration of electronics and photonics has emerged as a viable alternative. By using light to facilitate massive data movement between processors and components rather than traditional electrical cables, optical interconnects help address increasing challenges of power density, circuit miniaturisation, and cost efficiency.
“By integrating photonics with processors, we strive to make data processing work up to at least ten times faster than existing technology."
Rohin Kumar Y, CEO of LightSpeed
"Arrow has been guiding us through our journey, from design optimisation to proof of concept, testing, and production-ready supply chain services. We appreciate Arrow's global technology ecosystem which enables us to tap into their market expertise and industry trends of the electronics world,” he added.
Established in 2021, LightSpeed focuses on building a compact, modular package of optoelectronic processors and interconnects for data bandwidth-intensive applications that require real-time processing.
Their patent-pending technology provides a free-space multichannel optical bus connecting up to four processors simultaneously. Their photonic packaging uses a standard semiconductor process. Offering a modular and scalable design, the "optics-to-the-chip" modules can be field-configurable to support multiple applications.
These optics-to-the-chip modules enable multi-terabit data connectivity for a wide range of applications from the data centre, AI, and video content streaming to augmented reality/virtual reality.
Testing at NTU-Arrow Invent Lab
LightSpeed has used the NTU-Arrow Invent Lab's equipment to test and consult and collaborate with Arrow. Arrow engineers and technical experts have provided recommendations and advice to help LightSpeed make the solution happen, including:
- Electronic-Photonic Integration: Proposing suitable components to meet customer requirements to enable high data rate optics instead of copper in the 3D package to enhance performance for the high critical operational needs of data centres together with I/O system design, and interposer fabrication.
- Matching the Right Expert: Introducing suitable design partners to support customers with their design requirements and support throughout the whole journey – fabrication, assembly, validation and packaging.
- Accelerating Time-to-market: Providing the NTU-Arrow Invent Lab environment and equipment required for testing with instruments - power supplies, oscilloscope, signal, and spectrum analyser to streamline the turnaround time and processes during the prototype stage
"We are constantly seeking ways to help innovators bring their forward-thinking technologies and solutions to the market faster and in a much more cost-effective manner," said Natarajan MM, vice president for South Asia, Arrow Electronics.
Arrow in collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University established the NTU-Arrow Invent Lab in April 2022 to support Singapore’s start-up community in their idea-to-prototype-to-manufacturing journey.
NTU-Arrow Invent Lab acts as an innovation and experimental platform where technology start-ups develop ideas, unleash creativity, and bring their inventions to life as they tap into Arrow's global resources.
"We are excited to extend our global technology supplier ecosystem, best-in-class design tools and resources, and engineering expertise to LightSpeed as they commercialise their next generation opto-electronic embedded products offerings, aiming at delivering high bandwidth and high-performance benefits at a lower carbon footprint for data-intensive applications."
Natarajan MM, Arrow Electronics
Intel, one of Arrow's long-standing technology suppliers, is among LightSpeed's roster of mentors. Taking part in Intel's startup program, LightSpeed has received mentoring and technical support for its FPGA computing architecture.
“We share the comprehensive details and application information of FPGA, field programmable gate arrays. It helps form the foundation for solution framework," said Arvindh Rajasekharan, Intel's startup program mentor. "We also provide our technical mentoring and feedback, which is crucial in the early stages of the system architecture".
