Optical Bridge for Scalable Data Center Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center networks face scalability issues, bandwidth bottlenecks, and single-point failures due to increasing internet traffic, and existing hybrid electrical/optical switching systems are complex and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An optical bridge system utilizing a passive optical router with wavelength-dependent paths and Bridge Interface Chips that convert electrical signals to wavelength-tunable modulated optical signals for switching between electrical chips, providing a scalable and cost-effective solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hybrid electrical/optical switching systems are used to address bandwidth problems, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hybrid electrical/optical switching systems with a simplified all-optical switching system. The optical bridge uses optical signals to directly switch between electrical chips without requiring hybrid electrical/optical conversion components, thereby maintaining high bandwidth capacity while significantly reducing system complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex hybrid electrical/optical switching infrastructure from the system. By using a passive optical router that directly routes optical signals between chips, the patent removes the need for complex electrical switching layers and optical-electrical-optical conversion components, achieving bandwidth improvement without the associated complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrical switching systems are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but scalability and bandwidth performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes conventional electrical switching systems with an all-optical switching architecture. The optical bridge enables direct optical signal routing between electrical chips, providing superior scalability and bandwidth performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of standard optical components and straightforward integration processes.
3Use of energy by moving object
If optical bridge system is implemented, then power consumption and size are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical bridge system employs self-aligning mechanisms where the passive optical router and Bridge Interface Chips automatically align optical paths through their physical and optical properties. This self-service alignment reduces the need for high-precision manual alignment during manufacturing, thereby reducing power consumption and size without imposing excessive manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alignment tolerances and coupling mechanisms as intermediaries between the optical components. These intermediaries absorb and compensate for manufacturing variations, allowing the system to achieve low power consumption and compact size while maintaining relaxed manufacturing precision requirements through the buffering effect of the intermediary alignment structures.
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
The optical bridge system offers lower power consumption, smaller size, improved scalability, and reduced manufacturing costs, enabling efficient switching between electrical chips with bi-directional connectivity and reduced optical connections, thus addressing the limitations of conventional data center networks.
Implementation Method 1
Each Bridge Interface Chip including a wavelength tunable laser input
Implementation Method 2
a modulator configured to convert electrical signals from the electrical chip into wavelength tunable modulated optical signals
Implementation Method 3
each Bridge Interface Chip including a photodiode configured to convert optical signals from the passive optical router into electrical signals
Implementation Method 4
a passive optical router, the optical path through which is wavelength dependent
Data Source
AI summary
An optical bridge for switching between a plurality of electrical chips, the optical bridge comprising: a passive optical router; and a plurality of Bridge Interface Chips optically connected to the passive optical router; each Bridge Interface Chip being connectable to one of the plurality of electrical chips to form a connection between that electrical chip and the passive optical router at which electrical signals from the electrical chip are converted into wavelength tunable modulated optical signals for transmission to the passive optical router and at which an optical signals from the passive optical router are converted into electrical signals to be received by the electrical chip; wherein each Bridge Interface Chip includes a wavelength tunable laser input and a modulator for modulating the wavelength tunable laser input to provide the wavelength tunable modulated optical signals.