At VLC Photonics, we’ve spent over a decade designing, testing, and delivering photonic integrated circuits (PICs) across a wide range of technologies and applications. Along the way, we’ve received many thoughtful questions from researchers, engineers, startups, and industry leaders alike.
This FAQ page compiles some of the most common we encounter. We hope this growing knowledge base helps you better understand what we do and how photonic integration can accelerate your innovation.
Does VLC Photonics sell products?
We do not sell off-the-shelf PIC products.
How can VLC Photonics support my photonic development?
VLC Photonics is a trusted partner for photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development, supporting companies from concept to prototype and scalable production. As a fabless design and test house, we provide flexible, turnkey engineering services tailored to your technology and application needs.
What do I gain working with VLC Photonics?
By working with VLC Photonics, you gain:
- End-to-end support: from design, simulation, and foundry interface to packaging and testing.
- Faster time-to-market: reusable IP, proven workflows, and expert methodologies.
- Risk reduction: preemptive validation and engineering-backed decision-making.
- Design excellence: first-time-right implementation with proprietary models.
- Advanced testing: eye diagrams, BER, RF up to 110 GHz, and reliability analysis.
- Strategic flexibility: you retain full control while we execute with speed and precision.
- Scalability: backed by Hitachi High-Tech’s global network for industrial readiness.
How does VLC Photonics structure its services and pricing?
Our pricing model is transparent and based on:
- Engineering time: design, simulation, consulting, and testing at a flat daily rate, backed by know-how and proven workflows.
- Tool usage: billing for advanced photonic testing and design equipment, ensuring fairness and traceability.
- Materials: high-quality components and accessories charged based on actual use.
This approach ensures you get scalable, reliable photonic integrated circuit (PIC) solutions, not just files or isolated tests. You’re investing in certainty, execution, and results.
What optical applications can benefit from photonic integration?
Photonic integration applies to a wide range of optical systems, enabling smaller, faster, and more efficient devices. Key applications include:
- Telecommunications: transceivers, FTTx, RF photonics, long-haul and transport networks, optical datacom.
- Optical signal processing: LIDAR, metrology, instrumentation, quantum optics, advanced communications.
- Sensing: structural monitoring, chemical detection, aerospace, transport, energy, and utilities.
- Biophotonics: medical devices, lab-on-a-chip, diagnostics, analytics, and biosensors.
In short, most optical systems can benefit from PIC integration, improving performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
What does it mean that VLC Photonics is a fabless company?
Being fabless means VLC Photonics does not own manufacturing facilities. Instead, we collaborate with independent foundry partners for semiconductor fabrication, while focusing on design, characterization, and testing.
This model allows us to:
Select the most suitable technology platform and foundry for each project.
Offer flexibility and avoid dependency on a single manufacturer.
Ensure scalability and alignment with customer requirements and production goals.
Does VLC photonics take care of the packaging of the optical chip and the later opto-electronic integration into my product?
Yes, we can do it if needed. We do have test and assembly capabilities in-house and through our specialized back-end partners, we can provide multiple solutions according to the end-product needs, including our professional assistance on the best packaging and assembly options, control software, certification or later integration of the photonic chip into the final system. Learn more at our Packaging page.
If you don’t see your question here, no worries, one of our experts will be happy to answer you.
