BOSTON, MA, Mar 31, 2026 – Flexcompute has launched the PhotonForge Connector for Cadence Virtuoso Studio, integrating GPU-accelerated photonic simulation into the Cadence electronic-photonic design (EPDA) ecosystem. The connector allows engineers to move between photonic layout and high-fidelity multiphysics simulation within a two-way workflow.
Data center communication limits increase as AI workloads scale, and electrical interconnects struggle to meet bandwidth and efficiency requirements. Silicon photonics addresses these constraints but requires modeling of coupled electromagnetic, thermal, and electrical effects. Existing workflows often require rebuilding layouts in simulation tools, which slows iteration and introduces inconsistencies between design and analysis.
The integration links layout and simulation within the Cadence design workflow with foundry PDK support. It converts device layouts into simulation-ready 3D models and runs GPU-accelerated FDTD, mode, charge, and heat simulations, returning results to the Cadence workflow. It supports parametric sweeps, optimization, and S-matrix computation for photonic devices used in AI data centers.
“The industry’s leading hyperscalers are heavily investing in co-packaged optics to address the growing I/O bandwidth demands of AI infrastructure,” said Prashanta Kharel, PhD, technology strategist at Flexcompute. “Designing these systems requires solving extremely complex multiphysics problems, and GPU-accelerated simulation enables engineers to model and optimize these devices at the scale modern photonic systems require.”
“The addition of Flexcompute to the Photonic Virtuoso Studio and Spectre Simulation ecosystem strengthens the capabilities available to our customers,” said Gilles Lamant, engineer and Virtuoso platform architect at Cadence. “This collaboration allows designers to access advanced simulation features directly within their photonic workflows, improving both productivity and validation accuracy.”
GlobalFoundries, Imec, AIM Photonics, and Fraunhofer HHI use Flexcompute’s photonic simulation technology. The integration connects design platforms with physics-based simulation in collaboration with Cadence, enabling photonic device design workflows for AI data center infrastructure.
Source: Flexcompute
About Flexcompute
Flexcompute is a technology company based in Madison, Wisconsin, founded in 2015 by engineers from MIT and Stanford. The company develops high-performance, cloud-native simulation software for industries including aerospace, automotive, semiconductors, consumer electronics, and renewable energy. Its key products – Flow360, Tidy3D, and PhotonForge – are designed for computational fluid dynamics (CFD), electromagnetics, and photonics simulations. These tools use GPU acceleration and AI-assisted physics modeling to enable faster simulation speeds compared to traditional methods, while maintaining accuracy. Flexcompute’s solutions aim to support hardware design and engineering workflows by reducing simulation time and improving scalability.
About Cadence
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. is a U.S.-based technology firm that develops electronic design automation (EDA) tools, hardware, and IP for designing integrated circuits and electronic systems. Formed in 1988 through the merger of SDA Systems and ECAD, the company is headquartered in San Jose, CA. Cadence provides software and solutions for designing SoCs, PCBs, and complete electronic systems used in the semiconductor, automotive, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, and consumer electronics industries. Its tools support both digital and analog design workflows. Cadence employs about 12,000 people globally. The company’s technology supports the design, verification, and optimization of complex electronics across various industries.