Optical Frame Templates for High I/O Chip Interconnects
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the input/output (I/O) capacities of electronic processing chips increase, electrical signals struggle to provide sufficient I/O capacity due to size constraints of electronic chip packages, necessitating alternative interconnection methods such as optical signals.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication system comprising an optical communication device and an optical power supply that generates a sequence of optical frame templates. These templates are used as a light source to generate data-loaded optical frames or to extract control information encoded in the headers of the optical frame templates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrical signals are used for chip interconnection, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the I/O capacity is insufficient due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission for chip interconnection. Optical signals provide higher I/O capacity per unit area compared to electrical signals, directly resolving the contradiction between limited chip package area and the need for high I/O capacity. The optical communication device includes an optical transmitter, optical receiver, and optical modulator that convert electrical signals to optical signals for transmission.
2Productivity
If optical signals are used for chip interconnection, then the I/O capacity increases significantly, but the device complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The optical communication device performs multiple functions using integrated components. The optical modulator both modulates the optical signal carrier with data and generates the optical frames with headers. The optical transmitter both transmits optical signals and provides power supply functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high I/O capacity.
3Reliability
If optical frame templates are generated with headers containing control information, then control and synchronization are improved, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds control information in headers at the beginning of each optical frame template before the main data payload. This preliminary action allows the receiving device to extract and process control information (such as synchronization signals, addressing, and command data) immediately upon receiving the frame, without waiting to process the entire frame. This reduces processing time and improves reliability by enabling early control decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication system comprises an optical communication device and an optical power supply configured to generate a sequence of optical frame templates directed to the optical communication device. The optical communication device may use the received optical frame templates as a light source for generating data-loaded optical frames and/or may extract from the optical frame templates control information encoded therein using one or more headers thereof.