Passive Optical Network Links for Low-Latency Datacenter Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cloud service provider networks experience latency and increased Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) due to traditional communication methods, which affect data center application performance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a passive optical network using wavelength division multiplexing for communication between Ethernet switches and Infrastructure Processing Units (IPUs) in compute nodes, utilizing passive components like splitters and combiners to reduce latency and improve MTBF.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional communication methods are used in cloud service provider networks, then device complexity is reduced, but latency increases and Mean Time Between Failures decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMean Time Between FailuresVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electrical communication systems with optical communication systems. Specifically, it uses optical line terminals (OLT) and optical network terminals (ONT) to communicate via optical signals through optical splitters and combiners, substituting the mechanical/electrical infrastructure with an optical one that achieves single-digit nanosecond latency and extended MTBF.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces passive optical components (optical splitters and combiners) as intermediaries in the communication path between OLT and ONT. These passive optical networks serve as mediators that enable high-speed, low-latency communication without the failures associated with traditional active electrical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If passive optical network components are deployed, then latency is reduced to single-digit nanoseconds, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs passive optical network components that operate autonomously without requiring active control or power management. The optical splitters and combiners are passive devices that automatically direct optical signals based on their physical configuration, eliminating the need for complex control systems and reducing operational complexity despite the advanced optical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 passive optical network reduces latency to single-digit nanoseconds and increases application performance while significantly extending the Mean Time Between Failures, enhancing network reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Implementing a passive optical network using wavelength division multiplexing for communication between Ethernet switches and Infrastructure Processing Units (IPUs) in compute nodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength division multiplexing:

Implementation Method 2

utilizing passive components like splitters and combiners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical splitting:

Implementation Method 3

utilizing passive components like splitters and combiners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical combining:

Data Source

PatentUS12542984B2Method and apparatus to use a passive optical network to communicate between servers in a datacenter

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A passive optical network is used for communications in a data center between an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) in an Ethernet switch and an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a compute node in a server. The passive optical network reduces the latency from microseconds to single digit nanoseconds in both upstream and downstream directions that can result in an increase in application performance. In addition, because the passive optical network does not use active components, the passive optical network has a reduced Mean Time Between Failures that can be decades or centuries.