The BMBF project OptiK-Net comprises the possibility of integrating flexible optical conductor structures into the manufacturing process of conventional printed circuit boards in an application- and industry-oriented manner.
Optical waveguides in electronic structures are considered difficult to implement in industry, but offer advantages and design possibilities over printed circuit boards with electrical conductor paths. In particular, their high bandwidth and low sensitivity to interference allow new solutions in communication networks. In the OptiK-Net project, obstacles are addressed to enable innovative industrial applications by implementing an exemplary process chain for the manufacture of an optoelectronic rigid-flex printed circuit boards.
Within this process chain, two new approaches will be pursued: direct printing of optical waveguides and their direct integration into electrical circuit boards. For the direct printing of optical waveguides, flexographic printing, gravure printing and screen printing are considered as conventional printing processes. These processes enable a high output of similar waveguide structures, so that they can be evaluated with regard to their quality and capability as an industrial process. By integrating them into a rigid-flex composite, the communication of decoupled electrical circuits can be realized.
