Spatial Light Modulator Optical Interconnection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical interconnect technologies, such as those using MEMS mirrors and volume holographic optical elements, face limitations in multicasting, wavelength sensitivity, scalability, and power efficiency, making them unsuitable for high-bandwidth and low-latency applications like machine learning training.
Innovation Solution
The development of a reconfigurable optical interconnection device that employs spatial light modulators to impose spatial modulations on light beams, allowing for flexible routing of optical signals across multiple input/output ports, including unicast and multicast capabilities, and wavelength-selective routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If MEMS mirrors are used for optical routing, then energy efficiency is improved, but multicasting capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical interconnection device segments the optical signal path by placing spatial light modulators at specific planes (input plane and/or output plane) to independently control routing to multiple output ports. This segmentation enables multicast functionality while maintaining the energy-efficient optical switching architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Spatial light modulators are introduced as intermediary elements between the input and output ports. These modulators manipulate the spatial distribution of optical signals, enabling flexible routing and multicasting without requiring mechanical movement of mirrors, thus preserving energy efficiency while adding versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If volume holographic optical elements are used, then multicasting capability is achieved, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces volume holographic optical elements with spatial light modulators that use electronic control to achieve the same multicasting function. This substitution eliminates the inherent power loss associated with holographic diffraction while maintaining flexible routing and multicasting capabilities through programmable spatial modulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If WSS with passive splitter is used for multicasting, then multicast capability is achieved, but scalability is limited due to exponential power drop
Solution Approach 1:
Spatial light modulators serve as intermediary devices that directly route optical signals to multiple output ports without requiring passive splitters. This eliminates the exponential power drop problem associated with splitters while maintaining multicast capability, significantly improving scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameter from wavelength-based (in WSS) to spatial-based (in spatial light modulators). This parameter change enables direct control over output port selection without relying on wavelength division or passive splitting, thereby avoiding the exponential power loss and improving system scalability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If fixed interconnect methods are used, then power efficiency is improved, but flexibility and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic spatial light modulators that can be reconfigured in real-time to change routing patterns. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different network topologies and traffic patterns while maintaining power efficiency through optical switching, unlike fixed interconnect methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulators provide multi-functionality by enabling various routing modes (unicast, multicast, broadcast) and supporting different network topologies within a single device. This universal capability replaces multiple fixed interconnect structures while maintaining power efficiency.
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 enables efficient, scalable, and energy-efficient optical interconnections with low latency, supporting high-bandwidth applications by allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of network topologies and simultaneous data transmission to multiple ports.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of modulation patches are configured to impose spatial modulations on light beams received by the receiving ports for routing said light beams from the receiving ports to the transmitting ports
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical interconnection device (1) comprising a plurality of input/output ports (2) comprising a plurality of receiving ports (2a) and a plurality of transmitting ports (2b), a light routing system (4) comprising at least one spatial light modulator (10) and a control system (20), wherein the optical interconnection device (1) is configurable to receive optical signals from the plurality of receiving ports (2a) and transmit said optical signals to the plurality of transmitting ports (2b) according to a target set of interconnections, wherein the control system (20) is configured to generate a plurality of modulation patches (11) on the at least one spatial light modulator (10), wherein the plurality of modulation patches (11) are configured to impose spatial modulations on light beams (19) received by the receiving ports for routing said light beams (19) from the receiving ports (2a) to the transmitting ports (2b), thereby creating an interconnection or a plurality of interconnections from at least one of the receiving ports (2a) to at least one of the transmitting ports (2b) according to the target set of interconnections.