Optical Instruction Broadcast for Synchronized Compute Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing systems face limitations in utilizing optical signals due to synchronization and scalability issues, leading to reduced throughput and computational capacity.

Innovation Solution

An optoelectronic computing system employing a plurality of compute cores synchronized through an optical broadcast network, with an instruction decode and issue module to transmit instructions optically, enabling synchronous execution of computation tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple compute cores are used to increase computational capacity, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and synchronization difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational capacityVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission for inter-core communication. Optical signals use light instead of electrical currents, enabling faster transmission speeds and better signal integrity across multiple compute cores, thereby improving synchronization capability while maintaining computational capacity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The optical broadcast network serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits computational data between compute cores, provides synchronization signals, and enables coordinate computation across all cores. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated synchronization circuits, simplifying the overall system complexity while supporting multiple compute cores

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

2Speed

If optical signals are used for data transmission, then speed is improved, but synchronization reliability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission speedVSAvoidsynchronization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic synchronization signals transmitted through the optical broadcast network at regular intervals. These periodic signals ensure that all compute cores maintain synchronized timing, compensating for potential drift and ensuring reliable coordination despite the high-speed optical transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where compute cores monitor the received optical signals and adjust their operation accordingly. This feedback ensures that synchronization is maintained by detecting and correcting timing deviations, thereby improving synchronization reliability while maintaining high transmission speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Improves system throughput and computational capacity by allowing multiple compute cores to execute instructions synchronously, reducing power consumption, device area, and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

an optical broadcast network including a plurality of optical links that are coupled between the instruction decode and issue module and the plurality of compute cores, where the optical links are configured to transmit the second set of instructions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical signal transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4703842A1Optic-electric computing system and data processing method
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SHANGHAI XIZHI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4703842A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4703842A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4703842A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are an optoelectronic computing system and a data processing method. The optoelectronic computing system includes: a plurality of compute cores configured to execute instructions synchronously; an instruction decode and issue module configured to receive a first set of instructions from a data processor, decode the first set of instructions to generate a second set of instructions, and send the second set of instructions to the plurality of compute cores; and an optical broadcast network comprising a plurality of optical links, wherein the optical links are configured to transmit the second set of instructions from the instruction decode and issue module to each of the plurality of compute cores.