Optical link simulation using VHDL

The improved communication delay and connectivity using optical fiber-based interconnection links indicate that more computer systems and communication networks will use optoelectronic interconnection in the near future. However complex optoelectronic interconnect systems of today are not well supported for modeling, simulation, or synthesis. To implement successful optical links there is a need for a new CAD tool capable of simulating the behaviour of optoelectronic devices and circuits simultaneously and at multiple levels of abstraction. We introduce a VHDL-based "optoelectronic system simulator (OSS)" which can simulate electronic and photonic systems concurrently and seamlessly, with simulation examples of global signal distribution network and wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical links.