Optical Subcarrier Data Center Architecture Without TOR Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical communication networks with leaf-spine architectures face challenges in power consumption and data rate limitations due to the use of top-of-rack (TOR) switches, which become significant as server capacities increase, especially with GPU-based servers requiring higher data rates and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical subcarrier-based data center network architecture that replaces TOR switches with an optical platform, utilizing a passive optical splitter or demultiplexer to distribute optical subcarriers to secondary transceivers, reducing power consumption while enabling higher data rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If TOR switches are used to enable higher data rates for GPU-based servers, then data rate capability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electronic TOR switches with a passive optical platform that uses optical splitting and electronic processing only at endpoint servers. This substitution eliminates the power consumption of intermediate switching devices while maintaining high data rates through optical carrier transmission and server-side processing capability.
2Productivity
If NIC speeds are increased to support complex image and visual processing, then processing capability is improved, but Tier 1 switch speeds must also increase, leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data processing function from the network switch and relocates it to the endpoint servers. By removing packet switching operations from the Tier 1 switch and performing processing directly at servers with high-speed NICs, the system achieves high productivity without requiring increased switch speeds and associated power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If optical platform with passive splitting is used instead of TOR switches, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical platform as an intermediary between the optical transmission medium and endpoint servers. This passive optical splitting system simplifies the network core by replacing complex active switching devices with simple optical power splitting, reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized optical interfaces.
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
The optical subcarrier-based system reduces power requirements and space, while supporting higher data rates, making it more efficient and scalable for advanced server applications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical modulator that receives a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals associated with the plurality of data channels, such that the optical modulator supplies a plurality of optical subcarriers based on the plurality of data channels
Implementation Method 2
the optical platform, including one of an optical demultiplexer or a splitter, that receives the plurality of optical subcarriers, the optical platform having a plurality of outputs, each of which supplying at least one of the plurality of subcarriers
Implementation Method 3
Each optical subcarrier may be associated with data designated for a corresponding server within an optical network. In some examples, the optical subcarriers may constitute a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal.
Implementation Method 4
The receiver, in turn, may demodulate one or more of the received subcarriers and supply data associated with such subcarrier(s) to a corresponding data server
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating, transmitting, directing, receiving, and processing optical subcarriers. In some implementations, a system includes a Tier 1 switch that supplies a plurality of data channels; a transmitter that receives the plurality of data channels, the transmitter including an optical modulator that supplies a plurality of optical subcarriers based on the plurality of data channels; an optical platform that receives the plurality of optical subcarriers, the optical platform having a plurality of outputs, each of which supplying at least one of the plurality of subcarriers; a plurality of receivers, each receiving one or more of the plurality of optical subcarriers and supplying one or more of the plurality of data channels; and a plurality of servers, each of which receiving one or more of the plurality of data channels.