Optical Bus System Enablement Signal for Memory Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In processor memory systems, maintaining electrical signal integrity is challenging due to distortion caused by wire-based transport media, which worsens with increased signaling speed and number of receivers, hindering high data transfer rates and memory capacity expansion.
Innovation Solution
An optical bus system that transmits optical signals with an optical enablement signal to specify the target receiving device, allowing only the target device to receive data, reducing the overall optical power needed and minimizing unnecessary signal broadcasting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical signals are broadcast to all memory modules, then all modules can receive the signal, but optical power consumption increases proportionally with the number of modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sending an enablement signal before the actual data signal. This enablement signal activates only the resonators at the target memory module in advance, so that when the data signal arrives, only the intended recipient is prepared to receive it. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring signal reception reliability at the target module while preventing power consumption from increasing across all modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by making the resonators at different memory modules selectively active. Only the resonators at the target module are activated by the enablement signal, while resonators at non-target modules remain inactive. This allows the optical data signal to be received locally at the target module without requiring sufficient power to activate or affect all other modules, thus reducing overall optical power consumption while maintaining reliable reception at the destination.
2Length of stationary object
If optical power is increased to reach all memory modules, then signal coverage is improved, but power consumption increases directly with the number of modules
Solution Approach 1:
The enablement signal is transmitted beforehand to selectively activate resonators only at the target memory module. This preliminary activation ensures that when the data signal is transmitted with minimal power, the target module is already prepared to receive it effectively. This resolves the contradiction by achieving sufficient signal coverage at the target module without increasing power consumption across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates local quality by enabling resonators only at the specific target module rather than uniformly across all modules. This localized activation means the optical power needs to cover only the distance to the target module, not to all modules. The resonator at the target module concentrates and enhances the signal locally, achieving effective coverage without proportionally increasing power consumption.
3Speed
If electrical signals are used for communication, then signal transmission is achieved, but signal integrity degrades with increased signaling speed and fan-out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical signal transmission system with an optical signal transmission system. Optical signals propagate through waveguides with minimal attenuation and interference, unlike electrical signals that suffer from resistance, capacitance, and inductance effects. This substitution enables high signaling speeds while maintaining signal integrity, as optical signals are not affected by the same physical degradation mechanisms that limit electrical signals at high speeds and high fan-out conditions.
4Quantity of substance
If the number of memory modules is increased to expand memory capacity, then memory capacity increases, but optical power consumption increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The enablement signal mechanism allows the system to support increased memory capacity by selectively activating only the resonators needed for each transaction. When memory capacity is expanded by adding more modules, the enablement signal ensures that only the resonators at the target module are activated, not all modules. This maintains constant optical power consumption regardless of the total number of modules, resolving the contradiction between memory capacity expansion and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The selective resonator activation creates local quality where each memory module's resonators are independently controlled. Only the local resonators at the target module are activated for each transaction, while resonators at other modules (including newly added ones) remain inactive. This allows memory capacity to be increased by adding modules without proportionally increasing optical power consumption, as the power is consumed only locally at the active target module.
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 approach significantly reduces the optical power required for data transmission, improving signal integrity and efficiency while minimizing power consumption and access latency, compared to conventional broadcast methods.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the optoelectronic converters converts the diverted optical signal into an electrical signal encoding the same information as the optical signal
Implementation Method 2
A microring resonator optically coupled to the waveguide is configured to evanescently couple an optical signal from the waveguide into the optoelectronic converter
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for transmitting optical signals from a source to a plurality of receiving devices. In one method embodiment, an optical enablement signal is transmitted (401) from the source to the plurality of receiving devices. The target receiving device responds to receiving the optical enablement signal by preparing to receive one or more optical data signals. The source transmits the one or more optical data signals to the target receiving device. The remaining receiving devices do not receive the one or more optical data signals.