Optical Data Link Virtual Channel Arbitration
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Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor-based microprocessors approach physical limits, parallel processing systems with multiple microprocessors face increased heat dissipation and power consumption, necessitating higher I/O bandwidth and efficient data communication methods to manage data sharing among processors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for optical data communication using a network of optical data links, output switches, input switches, and optical couplers to allocate exclusive timeslots for data transmission between nodes in an arbitration domain, enabling efficient data switching and redirection across intersecting data paths within a silicon photonic optical network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple microprocessors work in parallel to surpass physical limits, then processing power is improved, but I/O bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical data link into multiple virtual channels, each capable of carrying independent data streams between processor nodes. This segmentation allows multiple I/O operations to proceed simultaneously over a single physical link, effectively increasing I/O bandwidth without adding more physical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements time-division multiplexing where different data streams are transmitted in periodic time slots over the shared optical link. Each processor node is granted exclusive access to the link during its allocated timeslot, enabling efficient sharing of the physical medium while maintaining high I/O throughput for multiple processors.
2Device complexity
If optical data links are shared among multiple nodes, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single optical data link universal by enabling it to serve multiple processor nodes through virtual channel multiplexing. The same physical link dynamically switches between different source-destination pairs based on arbitration results, allowing one link to perform the function of multiple dedicated links while maintaining high transmission efficiency through exclusive timeslot allocation.
3Ease of operation
If arbitration is implemented for shared optical links, then fairness in data access is improved, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary arbitration that determines timeslot allocation in advance, allowing processor nodes to know their scheduled transmission times beforehand. This preliminary scheduling ensures fair access for all nodes while minimizing actual transmission delay, as nodes can prepare their data packets in advance and switch rapidly when their timeslot begins, eliminating waiting time during the actual data transfer.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for optical data communication, including: a first sending node including a first data item for transmission to a first receiving node during a first timeslot; a second sending node including a second data item for transmission during a second timeslot; a first optical data link (ODL) and a second ODL; a first output switch configured to switch the first data item from the first sending node onto the first ODL during the first timeslot; a second output switch configured to switch the second data item from the second sending node onto the first ODL during the second timeslot; an optical coupler connecting the first and second ODL; and a first input switch operatively connecting the first receiving node with the second ODL and configured to switch the first data item from the second ODL to the first receiving node during the first timeslot.