Multi-port Aggregated Cables for High-Density Switch Fabric Interconnects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional computing fabrics face challenges in efficiently interconnecting multiple switch systems due to the bulkiness of single-port optical transceivers and cables, which limits switch chip density and increases faceplate area usage, especially in large-scale systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multi-port aggregated cables (MPACs) using coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) optics for both air-cooled and liquid-cooled systems, allowing for the aggregation and disaggregation of switch ports within internal and external fiber assemblies, enabling a more compact and high-density fabric topology by using optical fiber shuffles and jumpers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-port optical transceivers and cables are used to interconnect switch systems, then reliable point-to-point connections are achieved, but faceplate area and system volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple single-port optical transceivers are merged into a single multi-port optical transceiver module. The patent describes integrating multiple optical ports (e.g., 8-port, 16-port modules) into one compact unit that can be mounted on the switch system faceplate, thereby reducing the total faceplate area occupied while maintaining multiple independent connection channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical transceiver module is designed to provide multiple functions within a single device. Each multi-port module can simultaneously handle multiple optical connections, serving multiple communication channels with a single physical component, thus reducing the number of individual transceiver components needed.
2Reliability
If multiple individual single-port cables are used to connect switch ports, then each connection is established reliably, but the number of external cables increases system complexity and bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual optical cables are merged into a single multi-port optical cable assembly. The patent describes cable assemblies that contain multiple optical fibers or ribbons bundled together, with connectors that can simultaneously establish multiple optical connections, thereby reducing cable management complexity and external cable count.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly transitions from multiple separate one-dimensional cables to a bundled multi-dimensional structure. The patent describes organizing multiple optical fibers into ribbons or bundles that can be routed and managed as a single unit, adding spatial organization efficiency to the cable management system.
3Ease of repair
If traditional pluggable module cages are used for optical transceivers, then modular replacement is enabled, but the volume and form factor of switch systems increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical transceiver functions are combined into single larger-capacity module cages. The patent describes module cages that accommodate multi-port optical transceiver modules, where one cage provides the functionality of what would traditionally require multiple separate cages, thereby reducing total system volume while maintaining modular replaceability.
4Productivity
If high-density switch chips are implemented, then switch chip capacity increases, but faceplate area and interconnection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes using multi-port optical transceiver modules that can be mounted in fewer locations on the faceplate, reducing the area required to support high-density switch chips. By consolidating multiple optical ports into fewer module cages, the faceplate area required for high-density switching is reduced.
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 reduces the number of external cables needed, increases switch chip density, and minimizes faceplate area usage, facilitating more efficient and scalable interconnections among multiple switch systems while maintaining high-bandwidth and high-density optical connections.
Implementation Method 1
An optical fiber connects the chip ferrule to the optical connector
Implementation Method 2
The optical fiber is a coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-port aggregated cable includes: a plurality of duplex optical fibers, each duplex optical fiber having a first end and a second end; a first optical interface attached to each of the duplex optical fibers at the first end thereof and defining multiple ports, one for each of the duplex optical fibers, the first optical interface aggregating the duplex optical fibers at the first end thereof; and a second optical interface attached to each of the duplex optical fibers at the second end thereof and defining multiple ports, one for each of the duplex optical fibers, the second optical interface aggregating the duplex optical fibers at the second end thereof.