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All-optical crossbar switch using wavelength division multiplexing and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
Applied Optics
|March 8, 2008
Summary
This study presents an all-optical crossbar network using tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and optical waveguides. This design offers an inexpensive solution for connecting local processor clusters and potentially larger networks.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Computer Engineering
- Network Architecture
Background:
- High-speed interconnects are crucial for modern computing.
- Existing solutions face scalability and cost challenges.
- All-optical networks offer potential for greater bandwidth and lower latency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a passive, all-optical, fully connected crossbar network.
- To leverage wavelength-tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology.
- To explore cost-effective solutions for processor interconnects.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a combination of free-space optics and compact optical waveguides.
- Employing polymer waveguides to route optical signals from processors.
- Implementing a central free-space optical crossbar architecture.
Main Results:
- A passive, all-optical, fully connected crossbar network architecture is designed.
- The network directly connects processors using VCSEL technology.
- The design is analyzed for its potential to connect local clusters cost-effectively.
Conclusions:
- The proposed network offers an inexpensive method for connecting tightly integrated local processor clusters.
- The design can be extended using wavelength reuse for multicluster network connectivity.
- This all-optical approach using VCSELs presents a viable solution for scalable interconnects.
