Optical Frame Templates for Chip Interconnect Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic processing chip capacities increase, electrical signals struggle to provide sufficient input/output capacity within the limited size of a practical chip package, necessitating alternative interconnect solutions, such as optical signals, and optical interfaces are crucial for multi-antenna wireless systems to manage growing capacity and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An optical communication system comprising an optical communication device and an optical power supply that generates a sequence of optical frame templates, using a light source and electronic controller to imprint control information onto optical frame templates, which can be used for data transmission and synchronization in optical communication networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrical signals are used for interconnect in electronic chip packages, then the system is simple and compatible with existing electronics, but the input/output capacity is insufficient for high-capacity processing chips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput/output capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission for interconnect purposes. Optical interfaces use light instead of electrical signals to transmit data between processing chips, enabling much higher input/output capacity per unit area while maintaining system functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical interface system serves multiple functions: it provides high-capacity data transmission, enables synchronization between chips, and supports both unidirectional and bidirectional communication modes, making it a versatile solution for various interconnect requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If optical signals are used to increase input/output capacity, then the data transmission capacity increases significantly, but the device complexity and interface requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidoptical interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical interface system is divided into separate functional modules: optical signal generation, modulation, transmission, and detection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system design and maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical coupling mechanisms and interface standards as intermediaries between electrical electronic systems and optical transmission systems. These intermediaries enable seamless integration and simplify the complexity of direct optical-electrical conversion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240356651A1Communication system employing optical frame templates
Publication Date: 2024.10.24 CIENA CORP
  • US20240356651A1 patent drawing
  • US20240356651A1 patent drawing
  • US20240356651A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus includes baseband processing circuitry configured to generate a baseband signal that is transmitted to a first network element and a second network element, and an optical power supply configured to generate a first optical signal and a second optical signal, transmit the first optical signal to the first network element, and transmit the second optical signal to the second network element. The first optical signal and the second optical signal include information that enables synchronization of the first and second network elements.