TE CONNECTIVITY AND THE SwIFT CONSORTIUM LAUNCH NEW EFFORT IN EU FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN OPTICAL SWITCH
New switch combines integrated photonics and fluidics technologies for automatic and remote fibre management
Kessel-Lo, Belgium – February 11, 2014 – TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity, and its consortium partners announce the launch of SwIFT (optical Switch combining Integrated photonics and Fluidics Technologies), a project of the EU’s 7th Framework Programme for ICT (FP7). The overall aim of SwIFT is to develop a low-cost solution for automatic and remote fiber management.
As part of SwIFT, TE Connectivity partners with European experts to investigate and develop the concept of an optical switch fabric based on fluidics. With the integration of two innovative technologies – silicon photonics and fluidics technology – the consortium will deliver a solution that is needed by telecom operators to enable future, flexible and manageable networks, from data centers to core and access networks. SwIFT will investigate the integration of fluidics with the CMOS-compatible integrated silicon photonics technology to realize a compact, multi-port optical switch.
Integration of these technologies combines the best of both worlds: silicon photonics is known to be low cost, has a small footprint and is made by a proven, reliable CMOS technology, while fluidic technologies offer flexible solutions at a low operational power consumption and meets demanding outdoor specifications. A field trial by an end user will validate the concept.
The member organizations of the consortium represent the full supply chain. SwIFT partners with European organizations who are leaders in optical telecommunication interconnect products, fluidics technology and silicon photonics. SwIFT will help enhance the consortium’s leadership position by developing a new application that reuses and progresses beyond existing solutions. The consortium members each have manufacturing capabilities in Europe. The process developed will fit in these production lines, setting the scene for a European manufacturing supply chain.
SwIFT is a 3-year project, coordinated and led by TE Connectivity. Industrial, academic and research partners bring their expertise to the project.
Consortium members are: Imec (Belgium), LIM Liquids in Motion, Technische Universität Ilmenau (Germany), TDC (Denmark), Tyco Electronics Nederland (Netherlands) and Fundico (Belgium).
ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY
TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) is a $13 billion world leader in connectivity. The company designs and manufactures products at the heart of electronic connections for the world’s leading industries including automotive, energy and industrial, broadband communications, consumer devices, healthcare, and aerospace and defense. TE Connectivity’s long-standing commitment to innovation and engineering excellence helps its customers solve the need for more energy efficiency, always-on communications and ever-increasing productivity. With nearly 90,000 employees in over 50 countries, TE Connectivity makes connections the world relies on to work flawlessly every day. To connect with the company, visit: www.TE.com.
