Direct detection of coherent signals using Fano devices

This ERC PoC project aims to explore the commercial potential of a new and promising approach for realizing cheap integrated detectors with low energy consumption for use in high-speed interconnects, e.g. within datacenters.

The innovative idea behind these new types of devices, denoted Fano Detectors, is based on high-quality research carried out under our ERC AdG “FANO”.

Our long-term goal is to establish a start-up company and develop a transceiver product that can directly be sold to datacenters such as Facebook and Google.

The main activities in this project focus on maturing the technology, investigating the product feasibility, and developing the business case to establish the foundation for a start-up company.

To mature the technology, we will develop a portable demonstration unit (PDU) and test advanced functionalities of the Fano Detector.

This PDU will be used to demonstrate our technology at trade fairs and conferences facilitating early engagement with customers.

The product feasibility study will enable us to determine whether it is possible to develop a full transceiver product by a tech start-up or not.

Based on our determined position in the market from the product feasibility study, we will build the required team and prepare a business plan.

The deliverables of the project are a Fano Detector PDU, bill of materials, product specification sheet, and a business plan. A technical risk is the present low-resolution fabrication offered by foundries. We have identified an alternative design to mitigate this. The commercial risk is that it could be too ambitious for a start-up to build a full transceiver product.

In this case, alternate routes such as licensing of the technology or partnering with OEMs will be considered.

Market reports show that the revenue of datacenter optical transceivers will continue to grow at a CAGR of 15% reaching $11B by 2026. The optical transceiver market remains fragmented with a low barrier of entry for new tech companies.