Ghent, Belgium - June 16, 2026
Luceda Photonics today announced the release of Luceda Photonics Design Platform 2026.06, delivering native macOS support and workflow improvements for Luceda’s built-in DRC engine, a standalone Luceda Layout Visualizer, a new Layout-Driven Simulation (LDS) workflow, and advanced S-Bend routing. With Luceda 2026.06, Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) designers gain even greater flexibility, precision, and freedom to design, verify, and simulate their circuits.
Key Highlights:
1. DRC on macOS - Experience Native Design Rule Checking
Following its successful introduction in 2026.03, Luceda’s native Design Rule Checking (DRC) engine is now fully cross-platform with complete support for macOS, alongside Windows and Linux. Designers can now run automated, foundry-compliant DRC checks on their preferred operating system, either directly from the Luceda Layout Visualizer or via Python scripts.
Luceda Photonics continues to collaborate closely with leading foundries, such as AMF (now a part of GlobalFoundries), Silterra, Tower, and Ligentec, to expand and update supported DRC decks. For the most up-to-date list of supported foundry packages, visit: [Luceda DRC].
2. Enhanced Physical Verification Workflow – Inspect and Verify with Ease
The physical verification workflow receives major enhancements within the Luceda Layout Visualizer:
- Standalone Layout Visualizer: The Luceda Layout Visualizer can now be launched as a standalone application, allowing users to inspect GDSII files independently of IPKISS code.
Standalone Luceda Layout Visualizer with Load GDSII workflow. - Streamlined DRC Review: Users can now open GDSII layouts directly from the menu bar to run DRC checks, save DRC marker files (.lyrdb) directly within the GUI, or load an existing marker file and run checks easily.
Load GDS, run DRC, and load or save DRC reports from the Luceda Layout Visualizer. - Integrated Ruler Tool: A new intuitive ruler tool enables designers to measure physical distances directly inside the layout environment for quick compliance checks.
Measuring distances in the layout with the ruler tool.
3. Layout-Driven Simulation (LDS) – Instant Feedback from GDS to Results
Taking the SPICE-based circuit simulation workflow introduced in Luceda 2026.03 to the next level, this release allows designers to run Caphe S-matrix and Signal Tracer simulations directly from the Luceda Layout Visualizer, even when inspecting a layout opened via Load GDSII in the Layout Visualizer.
This eliminates the need to reopen complex IPKISS design scripts after tape-out or during layout hand-off. By simply keeping the layout in the visualizer and attaching an exported SPICE netlist, designers can instantly review S-parameters or trace optical power paths, bridging the gap between layout inspection and functional verification.
Load a SPICE file from the Simulation menu and run S-matrix or Signal Tracer analysis.
To learn more, check out "Running circuit simulations" for API documentation and "SPICE-Based Simulation Workflow in IPKISS" in the sample gallery.
4. S-Bend routing with ‘ConnectSBend’ - Optimize Your Waveguide Connections
To enable more compact layouts and minimize waveguide losses, Luceda 2026.06 introduces i3.ConnectSBend, a new connector specification added to route offset ports facing the same or opposite directions. This connector automatically enforces minimum bend-radius restrictions to safeguard optical performance and supports a wide variety of S-bend geometries tailored to specific design needs, including: Sine, Cosine, Euler, Hermite, and Radial.
To discover more, check out the "Placement and routing specifications" guide and the "Connector Reference" in our API documentation.
Whether you are designing on macOS, running instant layout-driven simulations, or optimizing your routing with advanced S-bends, Luceda 2026.06 brings higher efficiency to your workflow.
Ready to optimize your PIC design workflow? Visit your Luceda Customer Portal to download Luceda 2026.06 today and experience a smoother path from concept to successful tape-out.