Coherent Fiber Bundle Links for Dense, Low-Power MicroLED Interconnects
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limitations of chip-to-chip connections in optical links, including increased power consumption and reduced density, are exacerbated by the coupling of optical sources and detectors to waveguides, which dominate the cost and limit their integration density.
Innovation Solution
The use of coherent fiber bundles (CFBs) comprising tightly packed fibers for optical links between microLED transmitters and photodetectors, maintaining coherence within sub-bundles and employing spatially-sampled optical distribution to enhance alignment tolerances and reduce crosstalk, along with switchable photodetectors for improved signal recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chip-to-chip connections are used for optical links, then integration density is improved, but power consumption increases and coupling cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the optical link into multiple independent fiber channels within a coherent fiber bundle, allowing parallel data transmission. Each fiber acts as an independent channel that can be coupled to separate optical sources and detectors, enabling high-density integration without requiring complex chip-to-chip connections for each signal path.
Solution Approach 2:
The coherent fiber bundle serves as an intermediary component between optical sources and detectors. Instead of direct chip-to-chip coupling, the fiber bundle mediates the optical signal transmission, allowing multiple signals to be transmitted through a single integrated component, thereby reducing overall power consumption and coupling complexity.
2Productivity
If chip-to-chip connections are used for optical links, then integration density is improved, but coupling cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple optical coupling operations into a single coherent fiber bundle interface. Instead of individually coupling multiple optical sources and detectors to separate waveguides, the system combines all coupling operations at the fiber bundle ends, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The coherent fiber bundle serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the optical transmission medium and the coupling interface for multiple signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coupling mechanisms for each signal path, thereby reducing overall coupling cost and improving ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If optical sources and detectors are coupled to waveguides, then optical link functionality is achieved, but density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from planar chip-to-chip connections to three-dimensional fiber bundle integration. By utilizing the spatial dimension of the fiber bundle, multiple optical sources and detectors can be coupled in a compact arrangement, achieving high density while maintaining reliable optical link functionality through the coherent fiber transmission medium.
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
CFBs enable high-density, low-power chip-to-chip optical interconnects with reduced packaging costs and increased yield by optimizing alignment and minimizing crosstalk, thereby supporting high-data-rate communications.
Implementation Method 1
A microLED may be generally defined as a LED with a diameter of 1 m at >1 Gbps with lower drive power and very high density
Implementation Method 2
a fiber bundle comprised of a plurality of sub-bundles, each sub-bundle comprised of a plurality of multimode fibers
Implementation Method 3
an optical receiver array including a plurality of optical receiver sub-arrays, each optical receiver sub-array of the plurality of optical receiver sub-arrays comprising a plurality of photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
A coherent fiber bundle may be used to optically connect an array of microLEDs to an array of photodetectors in an optical communication system.