Composite Connector Integrating Optical I/O, Power, and Fluid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disaggregated computing systems face bottlenecks in Input/Output (I/O) access due to limited bandwidth and distance constraints of electrical I/O signals, particularly as data volume increases, and require scalable thermal management to handle growing compute node power, which traditional connectors fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
The composite connector modularizes data connections with a mix of electrical and optical data connectors, integrated fluid cooling, and alignment features to enable high-bandwidth I/O and efficient thermal management within a confined space, allowing for flexible upgrading from electrical to optical I/O and scalable liquid cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional electrical I/O connectors are used, then electrical power and data transmission can be achieved, but bandwidth is limited and distance constraints occur
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate electrical and optical portions, allowing data transmission to be handled by optical connectors for high bandwidth and long distance, while electrical connectors handle power and control signals. This segmentation resolves the bandwidth and distance limitations of purely electrical connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite connector integrates multiple functions into a single connection interface: electrical data transmission, optical data transmission, power delivery, and fluid cooling. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high bandwidth optical data transfer while maintaining power delivery capabilities that traditional electrical connectors provide.
2Power
If computing node power increases to handle more data, then processing capability improves, but thermal management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector merges electrical power/ data connections with fluid cooling channels into a single integrated interface. The fluid exchange connector is positioned to work in conjunction with the electrical and optical connectors, allowing thermal management to be delivered alongside power and data transmission through the same physical interface.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid intermediary (coolant) is introduced as a heat transfer medium between the computing node and external cooling systems. The fluid exchange connector provides pathways for this intermediary to flow, carrying thermal energy away from high-power compute nodes to resolve thermal management challenges.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate connectors are used for electrical data, optical data, power, and fluid cooling, then each function can be optimized independently, but physical space is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate connectors for electrical data, optical data, power, and fluid cooling are merged into a single composite connector assembly. The housing integrates all these connection types in one compact unit, maintaining the ability to optimize each function independently while dramatically reducing the physical space required compared to multiple separate connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite connector serves as a universal interface that handles electrical data, optical data, power delivery, and fluid cooling through a single connection point. This multi-functional design allows each function to be optimized independently within the integrated structure while minimizing the overall physical footprint.
4Device complexity
If electrical I/O signals are used for disaggregated computing, then system integration is simplified, but I/O access becomes a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The I/O interface is segmented into electrical and optical portions, allowing data transmission to migrate to optical connectors for high-speed access in disaggregated computing scenarios, while electrical connectors maintain simplified power and control functions. This segmentation enables high I/O access speed while maintaining manageable system integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite connector provides a universal interface that supports both electrical and optical data transmission, allowing systems to maintain simplified integration architecture while achieving high-speed I/O access through optical channels for disaggregated computing workloads.
Data Source
AI summary
A composite connector includes modular data connectors, electrical power connectors, a fluid exchange connector, an alignment feature, and a housing. The modular data connectors include electrical data connectors and optical data connectors and are configured to carry data. The electrical power connectors are configured to carry electrical power, and the fluid exchange connector is configured to carry cooling fluid. The composite connector includes an alignment feature to align the composite connector with a complementary connector. The housing of the composite connector is configured to contain the modular data connectors, the electrical power connectors, the fluid exchange connector, and the alignment feature in a confined physical space.