Keysight Expands Photonic Design Automation Portfolio with System-Level Simulation

Enables engineers to evaluate photonic systems from device physics through full optical link performance within a connected workflow

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) today announced that it completed the acquisition of VPIphotonics on June 9, 2026, adding system-level simulation to its photonic design automation portfolio and enabling optical and electrical engineers to advance designs from component to complete link within a single environment.

Demand for silicon photonics and co-packaged optics continue to grow across data center and AI infrastructure markets. As complexity rises and timelines tighten, engineering teams need simulation that carries a design across every domain without the manual handoffs that slow development and introduce error.

Keysight's photonic design automation portfolio now reaches from device physics to full system behavior. RSoft handles device-level simulation for waveguides, gratings, modulators, and laser sources. Photonic Designer delivers comprehensive circuit-level design and verification for photonic integrated circuits. The acquisition of VPIphotonics now strengthens Keysight's circuit-level design capabilities and extends its photonic design automation portfolio to the system level with VPIphotonics Design Suite. This will enable Keysight to deepen and significantly enhance the design workflow by leveraging industry-leading solutions that the two companies have been shipping for years.

One example of this integrated workflow is VPI Optical Link in Keysight ADS, which enables simulation of the full transceiver path in a single analysis, from electrical to optical and back to electrical (E-O-E). Engineers can then predict how the whole link will perform, including bit error rate, without moving a design between separate electrical and optical tools. Because the workflow connects to Keysight's high-speed digital tools and test instruments, simulation aligns with bench measurements. As a result, issues surface earlier and teams require fewer prototype iterations.

Dr. André Richter, General Manager, VPIphotonics, said: “We have been supporting our customers with value-adding photonic design tools for high-demand applications for decades. Joining Keysight means we can engineer powerful, more complete workflow solutions to serve our customers better.”

Nilesh Kamdar, General Manager, Keysight EDA, said: “Photonics design complexity continues to increase for our customers, especially for those working at speeds greater than 1 THz. Having a complete suite of tools that address these challenges from device to system is crucial. We’re excited to welcome the VPIphotonics team to Keysight and help us address the critical design challenges our joint customers face.”

Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Resources

• Web Page: Photonic Design Automation Software
• Web Page: VPIphotonics

About Keysight Technologies

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.