Optically powered arrays for optoelectronic interconnection networks

We describe a novel integrated, optically powered optoelectronic array for use in 2-D interconnection networks. We discuss a generic optoelectronic processing structure and propose two circuit schemes for realizing these interconnect arrays. It is shown that optical powering of the array pixel electronics considerably reduces the high frequency crosstalk between adjacent array elements, leading to improvements in bandwidth by >1 order of magnitude when compared with similar conventionally powered systems. Design criteria are established for determining the trade-offs between fanout and power dissipation, and factors limiting packing density in the optically powered scheme are also discussed. We also compare the performance of optically powered optoelectronic, conventional optoelectronic and all-optical systems on the basis of bandwidth, crosstalk, packing density, and functionality and find that optical powering has several advantages for use in advanced system architectures.