The challenge: fragmented design landscape and dependencies

Highly integrated photonic-electronic systems are considered a key technology for communication, sensor technology, and quantum technologies. However, there is currently no integrated open-source development chain (design flow) that systematically links the development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), specialized integrated circuits (ASICs), packaging, and printed circuit boards. At the same time, the development of modern chips today is heavily dependent on proprietary design environments and global value chains – a factor that is increasingly influencing Europe's technological capabilities. This is precisely where the joint project CHOPS (Chances for Heterogeneous Integration using Open-Source Tools for the Realization of Photonic-Electronic Systems) comes in.

The solution: An open design flow for heterointegrated systems

As part of the »DE:Sign Challenge« initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), an interdisciplinary consortium is developing an open, end-to-end design process for heterointegrated electro-photonic systems. The aim is to close existing gaps in open-source design tools and thus sustainably strengthen innovation and competitiveness in chip development.

The project will run from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, and is funded with €2,187,518 (funding number 16ME1158). Swissbit Germany AG is coordinating the consortium, and other project partners include Fraunhofer IMS, Fraunhofer IZM, FiconTEC, Systemscape, TU Berlin, Vishay, and associated partners Siemens EDA and ZUKEN.

Design tools for electro-photonic systems

In this project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS is developing tools for the design and testing of silicon nitride photonic chips. At the same time, it is ensuring that these tools work seamlessly with open-source software for electronic chips so that electrical and photonic components can be designed together.

»A particular focus is on incorporating manufacturing-specific rules for optical and electrical connections directly into the design process,« explains Sascha Chur from Fraunhofer IMS. This allows potential problems to be identified at an early stage of development, avoiding costly correction loops and ensuring the reliable implementation of complex systems.

Bridge to manufacturing: FMD and APECS pilot line

The project takes on particular strategic importance through its connection to the Research Factory Microelectronics Germany (FMD) and the APECS (Advanced Packaging for Electronic and Photonic Convergent Systems) pilot line at the Fraunhofer Institutes IMS and IZM. The open-source design tools developed in the project are tested there under real manufacturing conditions. This demonstrates the path from digital design to finished hardware in a practical manner.

Through the close integration of design, manufacturing, and testing, CHOPS makes an important contribution to technological sovereignty in European microelectronics. Open interfaces and standardized data formats enable small and medium-sized enterprises and universities in particular to develop complex photonic-electronic systems with low barriers to entry and transfer them to industrial manufacturing processes.