Bi-rate Optical Transfer Engine for Clock Domain Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pairing of optical buses with electrical components often results in latency and conflicts due to mismatched clock speeds, and existing characterization methods are inadequate for accurately testing high-speed optical buses.
Innovation Solution
A bi-rate adaptive optical transfer system that includes an optical transfer array with optical latches and a decode/encode matrix, allowing data transfer between optical and electrical components independently of clock speeds, using integrated optical gain materials and photonic structures to interface with high-speed optical buses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical buses operate at high speeds, then data transmission rate is improved, but latency and conflicts occur due to mismatched clock speeds with electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical latches as intermediary elements between the high-speed optical bus and slower electrical components. These latches buffer data temporarily, allowing the optical bus to operate at its native high speed while electrical components process data at their own clock rate, thereby eliminating latency caused by speed mismatch without requiring E-O conversions
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the data transfer path into distinct optical and electrical domains, with optical latches handling high-speed buffering and electrical components performing processing. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently at its optimal speed, resolving the conflict between high transmission rate and latency
2Productivity
If optical buses operate at high speeds, then data throughput is improved, but conflicts arise due to clock speed mismatch with electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
Optical latches serve as mediators that decouple the clock domains of the optical bus and electrical components. They accept data from the optical bus at high speed and transfer it to electrical components when ready, eliminating conflicts caused by clock speed mismatch while maintaining high data throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different clock speeds by allowing optical latches to buffer data temporarily. This dynamic buffering capability enables the system to handle variable clock rate differences between optical and electrical components without causing conflicts
3Measurement precision
If characterization equipment is used to test high-speed optical buses, then measurement capability is provided, but the equipment introduces lag and latency to the measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electronic characterization equipment with an all-optical test system. By using optical latches and optical decoding circuits, the system eliminates E-O conversions that introduce latency, enabling accurate characterization of high-speed optical buses without measurement delay
Solution Approach 2:
Optical latches act as intermediaries in the test system, allowing high-speed data to be captured and analyzed without converting to electrical signals. This maintains the integrity and speed of optical signals throughout the characterization process, eliminating measurement latency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables accurate characterization of optical buses without introducing latency, simplifies bus arbitration, and allows for scalable multi-core architectures by eliminating the need for extra E-O conversions and reducing the number of optical links, thereby enhancing data throughput and reducing power dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
using integrated optical gain materials and photonic structures to interface with high-speed optical buses
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for the transmission of data between an optical bus and an electronic component at a speed independent from a clock speed of the electrical component; the system comprising an optical data storage component communicating with both the optical bus and the electrical component; the optical data storage component being configured to hold data transmitted on the optical bus until said electrical component is available.