Large Core Hollow Waveguide Optical Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in inter-chip communication on circuit boards is a communications bottleneck due to the complexity and inaccuracy of physically placing and connecting fiber optics, which is time-consuming and costly, and traditional optical waveguides have high loss and manufacturing challenges.
Innovation Solution
The use of large core hollow waveguides with reflective coatings and multi-mode lasers, along with collimating lenses and coupling devices, to reduce loss and improve interconnectivity by guiding coherent light with minimal reflections and beam walk-off, enabling efficient optical interconnects between chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fiber optics are physically placed and connected to chips, then optical interconnect capability is achieved, but manufacturing accuracy and time requirements become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces waveguide structures as intermediary elements that are integrated into the circuit board substrate. These waveguides serve as mediators between light sources and chips, eliminating the need for direct physical placement and connection of fiber optics to chips. The waveguides are formed using lithographic processes that are compatible with standard circuit board manufacturing, thereby achieving optical interconnect capability without prohibitive placement accuracy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically placing and connecting fiber optics with an optical field-based system using waveguides. Instead of mechanically positioning and connecting discrete fiber optic components, the system uses lithographically formed waveguide structures that guide light fields through the circuit board substrate, substituting mechanical assembly with optical field propagation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional optical waveguides are used, then optical signal routing is enabled, but signal loss remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and material parameters of the waveguide structures to reduce signal loss. This includes using low-loss dielectric materials, optimizing waveguide geometry and dimensions, and controlling refractive index profiles. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the waveguides achieve lower attenuation coefficients, enabling efficient optical signal routing over practical distances on circuit boards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex routing around and between circuit boards is implemented, then optical interconnect versatility is improved, but system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal waveguide structures that can perform multiple routing functions within a unified framework. The lithographically formed waveguides can be configured to route optical signals in two dimensions, providing flexibility for various interconnect topologies without requiring different types of components or assembly procedures. This multi-functional approach achieves routing versatility while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
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 solution significantly reduces the loss and cost of optical interconnects, allowing for more accurate and efficient broadband data transfer between high-speed computer chips on multi-layer circuit boards, making optical interconnects more viable.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling device is optically coupled to the first and second waveguides at an angle sufficient to direct at least a portion of the multi-mode coherent light from the first waveguide to the second waveguide
Implementation Method 2
directing a substantially collimated multi-mode coherent light beam into a first large core hollow waveguide
Implementation Method 3
large core hollow waveguides with reflective coatings and multi-mode lasers, along with collimating lenses and coupling devices, to reduce loss and improve interconnectivity by guiding coherent light with minimal reflections and beam walk-off
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for routing optical signals are disclosed. The system includes a first large core hollow waveguide having a reflective coating covering an interior of the waveguide and configured to guide a substantially collimated multi-mode coherent light beam. A second large core hollow waveguide with an interior reflective coating is coupled to the first waveguide with a coupling device. The coupling device is configured to redirect at least a portion of the coherent light beam from the first to the second waveguides through an optical path that is sufficiently short that a beam walk-off of the coherent light through the coupling device is less than half a width of the first large core hollow waveguide.