Optical short reach interconnects for next generation communications and computing equipment

通信和计算领域最令人兴奋的最新发展之一是在硅光子学最新进展的推动下，引入了光学短程互连(OSRI)来增加系统连通性。现在人们普遍认识到，互连功率和密度问题是实现下一代通信和计算设备的最大障碍之一。硅光子支持的OSRI有望成为一种使能技术，通过提供低功率、高带宽、高密度的芯片内和芯片间通信来解决这一挑战。拟议的三年项目的重点是开发新的OSRI技术，研究将提供光互连的子系统和系统，以期光子互连和开关可以在每比特亚皮焦耳的能量下运行。这项理论和实验研究将使McGill工业合作伙伴爱立信能够领导加拿大和世界各地的努力，开发满足迅速增长的连接需求所需的经济高效、高性能的解决方案。研究工作的方向如下：(I)将开发支持OSRI的系统的准确分析公式和现实模拟；(Ii)将使用McGill最先进的实验设施对理论结果进行广泛的实验验证。通信和计算设备性能的提高转化为服务提供商费用的减少。这使服务提供商能够为加拿大人的利益向住宅和企业客户提供以数据和视频为中心的廉价产品。最后，该项目产生的新知识和训练有素的高素质人员将增强加拿大在全球信息和通信技术部门的全球竞争力。

One of the most exciting recent developments in communications and computing is the introduction of Optical Short Reach Interconnects (OSRIs) to increase system connectivity, spurred on by recent advances in Si-photonics. It is now widely recognized that interconnect power and density issues are among the biggest obstacles towards realizing future generations of communications and computing equipment. Si-photonic-enabled OSRIs are expected to be an enabling technology that resolves this challenge by providing low power, high bandwidth, high density intra-chip and inter-chip communications. The proposed three-year project is focused on the development of novel OSRI technology and the research will deliver optically interconnected sub-systems and systems with a view that photonic interconnects and switches can operate at subpicojoule per bit energies. This theoretical and experimental research will allow McGill industrial partner Ericsson, to lead Canadian and worldwide efforts in developing cost-effective, high-performance solutions required to meet burgeoning connectivity demands. Research efforts will be directed as follows: (i) accurate analytic formulations and realistic simulations of OSRI-enabled systems will be developed; (ii) extensive experimental validation of the theoretical results will be conducted using state of the art experimental facilities at McGill. Increasing performance of communications and computing equipment translates into reductions in service provider expenses. This allows service providers to offer inexpensive data and video-centric products to residential and business customers for the benefit of Canadians. Finally, the new knowledge generated from this project and the trained highly qualified personnel will enhance Canada's global competitiveness in the worldwide Information and Communications Technology sector.