Optical Memory Module Interconnect for Scalable High-Bandwidth Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The growing disparity between processor and memory access speeds, caused by memory suppliers focusing on density and cost rather than speed, leads to memory latency dominating application performance, limiting the benefits of increased processor clock rates and requiring scalable high-bandwidth memory access solutions that do not increase system cost or pin count.

Innovation Solution

A memory module with optical interconnect using an optical channel and a memory buffer that handles requests and responses, enabling high-speed serial links without consuming many pins, and employing wavelength-division-multiplexing to increase bandwidth and throughput, allowing multiple modules to share optical channels and scale with system needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If parallel memory channels are used to increase memory bandwidth, then memory bandwidth is improved, but the number of pins required on the memory controller increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory bandwidthVSAvoidnumber of pins

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical parallel memory channels with an optical interconnect system. Instead of using multiple electrical pins for parallel data transmission, the invention uses optical fibers to carry data as light signals, substituting the electrical mechanical connection system with an optical one. This enables high-bandwidth memory access without requiring a large number of physical pins on the memory controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from electrical signals to optical signals. By converting memory data transmission from electrical parallel channels to optical serial transmission, the system achieves high bandwidth while reducing the physical pin count. The optical interface allows for scalable bandwidth through wavelength-division multiplexing rather than increasing physical connection count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fully-buffered memory technology with serial interfaces is used, then pin count is reduced, but the transmission distance is limited to short distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepin countVSAvoidtransmission distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical serial interfaces with optical interconnects. By using optical fibers instead of electrical traces, the system overcomes the distance limitations of electrical signaling while maintaining the pin-count benefits of serial transmission. Optical signals can travel much farther than electrical signals at high speeds without significant signal degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical interconnects are used for memory access, then compatibility with existing standards is maintained, but electromagnetic interference and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical interconnects with optical interconnects for memory access. By converting data transmission from electrical to optical domain, the system eliminates electromagnetic interference completely, as light signals do not generate electromagnetic fields. Power consumption is also reduced due to the efficiency of optical transmission compared to high-speed electrical signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides scalable high-bandwidth memory access, reduces memory latency, and extends the reach of memory modules beyond electrical signaling limitations, while reducing power consumption and electromagnetic interference, and maintaining compatibility with existing standards.

Implementation Method 1

an optical channel, a memory buffer, and a random-access memory module. The memory buffer is configured to receive a request from a memory controller via the optical channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signaling: Light

Implementation Method 2

the memory module is configured to use wavelength-division-multiplexing to increase bandwidth and throughput without increasing the number of optical fibers needed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength-division multiplexing: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS7970990B2Memory module with optical interconnect that enables scalable high-bandwidth memory access

Publication Date: 2011.06.28 ORACLE AMERICAN INC

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates scalable high-bandwidth memory access using a memory module with optical interconnect. This system includes an optical channel, a memory buffer, and a random-access memory module. The memory buffer is configured to receive a request from a memory controller via the optical channel. The memory buffer handles the received request by performing operations on the random-access memory module and then sending a response to the memory controller via the optical channel. Hence, the memory module with optical interconnect provides a high-speed serial link to the random-access memory module without consuming a large number of pins per channel on the memory controller.