Optical Data Path Systems Using Microring Resonators
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the microelectronic industry is the limited bandwidth and increased energy cost of on-chip and off-chip communication between nodes in multi-node chips, which hinders performance growth and power consumption efficiency in computationally demanding applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical data path systems using microring resonators and waveguides that enable unidirectional and bidirectional transmission of optical signals between nodes, allowing for data partitioning and control over signal distribution through thermally and electronically tunable resonators and detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical communication is implemented between nodes, then communication bandwidth is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical components (microring resonators, waveguides, detectors) into a single integrated optical device layer that is directly integrated with the multi-node chip. This merging approach enables high-bandwidth optical communication while reducing the complexity that would arise from separate discrete components by creating a unified integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical device layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides communication bandwidth between nodes, enables data partitioning through resonator tuning, and supports both unidirectional and bidirectional transmission. This multi-functionality improves productivity while managing device complexity by consolidating multiple capabilities into a single integrated layer.
2Power
If more nodes are added to multi-node chips, then computational power is improved, but communication energy cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical communication mechanisms with optical communication using microring resonators and waveguides. This substitution enables higher bandwidth communication between nodes while reducing the energy cost associated with electrical signal transmission, thereby supporting increased computational power without proportionally increasing communication energy consumption.
3Power
If computational bandwidth is increased, then processing capability is improved, but communication rate becomes the limiting factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thermally and electronically tunable microring resonators to dynamically adjust communication parameters such as resonance wavelength and coupling strength. This enables the communication rate to be optimized and scaled to match increasing computational bandwidth requirements, preventing communication rate from becoming the limiting factor as processing capability increases.
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 enhances communication bandwidth and reduces energy consumption by efficiently managing optical signal transmission between nodes, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional communication methods.
Implementation Method 1
A resonator of the optical device layer evanescently couples or diverts light from an adjacent waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The optical device layer includes resonators, detectors, and a waveguide network
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to optical data path systems that enable unidirectional and bidirectional transmission of optical signals between nodes of a multi-node system such as a multiprocessor system. In one aspect, an optical data path system includes an optical device layer connected to nodes of a multi-node system and a controller. The optical device layer includes a waveguide network of waveguide branches optically connecting each node of the multi-node system to every other node of the multi-node system, resonators disposed adjacent to the waveguide branches, and detectors disposed adjacent to waveguide branches of the waveguide network. Each detector is electronically connected to a node of the multi-node system. The resonators are operated by the controller to control the path of optical signals sent between the nodes of the multi-node system.