Optical backplane interconnect for data processors

An implementable optical backplane interconnect technology for data processors is proposed and a design is set forth using wavelength controls of lasers in a quantum-well waveguide grating surface-emitter tunable laser approach. This prototype device development constitutes a switchable, all-optical crossbar switch. A switch was sized to accommodate an array of processors and memories suitable for direct replacement into the basic avionic multiprocessor backplane. This design performs an optical interconnect with a 32*32 GSE (grating surface emitting) array from any row of one array to any row of a second array by scanning a laser drive through a wavelength range of approximately 20 nm. Each array can be used as both transmitter and receiver in either a simplex or duplex configuration. With a design BER (bit error rate) requirement of 10E-9 at a 100-MHz data rate, a laser power of 12 mW will overcome the optical losses of the GSE array waveguide, directional coupler, modulator, and grating output coupler. It is concluded that this design will simplify parallel switching, increase data transfer rate capability, and maintain an increase in data transfer rates while allowing expansion of interconnect of data processors.<
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