Luceda Photonics IPKISS Design Suite 2025.12

Luceda Photonics IPKISS Design Suite

Luceda Photonics IPKISS Design Suite is the industry-leading, Python-based design automation platform for Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). Born from over 50 years of cumulative expertise from imec, Ghent University, and VUB, IPKISS delivers a complete, validated framework that enables photonic IC engineers to achieve the same “first-time-right” design confidence as their electronic IC counterparts. The 2025.12 release represents a transformative leap forward in PDK creation, tape-out preparation, interactive simulation, and design collaboration—transforming fragmented, script-based photonic design workflows into a streamlined, automated, and repeatable engineering process. Unlike traditional EDA tools adapted from electronics, IPKISS is purpose-built for photonics, providing complete visibility, repeatability, and accuracy across the entire design cycle.

🔬Primary Users

This professional photonic design automation software is designed for:

• Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Designers & Engineers in research institutes and industrial R&D.

• Silicon Photonics Specialists developing complex PICs for data communications, LiDAR, and sensing.

• Process Design Kit (PDK) Developers & Foundry Engineers creating and maintaining photonic component libraries.

• Integrated Optics Researchers & Academics from leading institutions including imec, Ghent University, and VUB.

• Tape-out Project Managers preparing first-time-right PIC designs for MPW and production shuttles.

⚡ Key Features & Capabilities

• Python-Native Environment: Full object-oriented scripting interface using Python. Automate layout generation, parameter sweeps, and design rule checks programmatically.

• Foundry PDK Integration: Certified Process Design Kits (PDKs) from major global foundries (e.g., AIM Photonics, IMEC, Tower Semiconductor, AMF, VTT). Plug-and-play with validated component libraries.

• Circuit-Level Simulation (Caphe): Built-in time-domain and frequency-domain circuit simulator specifically optimized for photonic circuits (rings, MZIs, AWGs).

• GDSII & OASIS Mask Layout: High-fidelity, hierarchical layout generation with full resolution of curvilinear structures. Direct export to industry-standard tape-out formats.

• EDA Interoperability: Direct export to Cadence Virtuoso and Synopsys OptoDesigner via IPKISS Link. Co-simulation capabilities with Lumerical (Ansys) and Synopsys tools via IPKISS Canvas.

• Version Control Integration: Native support for Git and Subversion, enabling proper design management and team collaboration on complex PIC projects.

• Design Rule Checking (DRC): Automated verification of layout versus foundry design rules before tape-out.

🆕 What’s New in Version 2025.12

• Enhanced PDK Manager: Revamped graphical interface for browsing, loading, and comparing different foundry PDKs simultaneously. Faster validation checks for new PDK releases.

• IPKISS Canvas for Ansys Lumerical: Improved bi-directional link with Lumerical FDTD and MODE. Component-level models can now be extracted and pushed directly into circuit simulations with automated S-parameter import.

• Curvilinear Mesh Support: New “SmoothPath” waveguide primitive for creating ultra-low loss bends with GDSII-compatible resolution. Critical for high-Q resonators and advanced quantum circuits.

• Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) Automation: Streamlined templates for common MPW shuttle runs. Automated die-frame assembly and stitch-cell placement for faster tape-out.

• Python 3.12+ Support: Full compatibility with the latest Python ecosystem, including NumPy 2.0 and Matplotlib 3.9.

• Performance Optimization: Up to 30% faster GDSII flattening and boolean operation processing for large-scale, dense layouts.