Rack Optical Board Links for High-Bandwidth Data Center Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data centers face limitations in computing and communication resources, particularly in communication bandwidth and power consumption, which hinder performance in tasks like physical modeling and large language model training.

Innovation Solution

Implementing optical communication systems with fixed spatial relationships between circuit boards using optical transmitters and receivers, allowing for direct light transmission through free space or waveguides, and incorporating structures like optical buses and cubes for enhanced data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If optical communication systems are implemented between circuit boards, then communication bandwidth is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication bandwidthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical communication system is segmented into independent circuit board modules, each equipped with optical transmitters and receivers. This modular approach allows bandwidth improvement through parallel optical channels while managing complexity by localizing optical components to individual boards rather than requiring system-wide optical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Optical transmitters and receivers serve as intermediary devices between computing components on different circuit boards. These intermediaries enable high-bandwidth communication through light transmission while isolating the complexity of optical conversion to specific interface components rather than requiring complex optical processing throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If optical transmitters and receivers are integrated on circuit boards, then data transfer rates are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer ratesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Optical transmitters and receivers are pre-integrated onto circuit boards during the manufacturing process, establishing high-speed data transfer capabilities before deployment. This preliminary integration of optical components allows for standardized manufacturing procedures and simplifies field installation while achieving improved data transfer rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional electrical signal transmission through physical wires and traces is replaced with optical transmission using light-based communicators. This substitution of mechanical/electrical systems with optical systems enables higher data transfer rates while the modular circuit board design maintains ease of manufacture through standardized optical component mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If fixed spatial relationships between circuit boards are established, then optical communication efficiency is improved, but system adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical communication efficiencyVSAvoidsystem adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes fixed spatial relationships between circuit boards to optimize optical communication efficiency, while maintaining dynamic adaptability through software-controlled optical channel allocation and reconfiguration. This allows the physical layout to be optimized for performance while the logical configuration can adapt to different computational workloads and data transfer requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances communication bandwidth and reduces power consumption while simplifying construction and cost in data centers, improving data transfer rates and computational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an optical transmitter operable to emit light, a second circuit board comprising an optical receiver operable to receive the light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20260019153A1Optical data-center communication systems

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 X CELEPRINT LIMITED

AI summary

A data-center communication system can include a first circuit board comprising an optical transmitter operable to emit light and a second circuit board comprising an optical receiver operable to receive the light. The first circuit board and the second circuit board can be disposed in a fixed spatial relationship with a rack. The light can be modulated optical signals. The first and second circuit boards can each include both optical transmitter and an optical receiver to enable bidirectional communication. Optical transmitters and optical receivers can enable point-to-point optical communications between circuit boards in a rack or can enable an optical bus shared by circuit boards in a rack.