Optical short reach interconnects for next generation communications and computing equipment

最近在通信和计算领域最令人兴奋的发展之一是引入了光学短距离互连（OSRIs），以增加系统连接，这是由硅光子学的最新进展所推动的。现在人们普遍认识到，互连功率和密度问题是实现未来几代通信和计算设备的最大障碍之一。硅光子驱动的OSRIs有望通过提供低功耗、高带宽、高密度片内和片间通信来解决这一挑战。该计划为期三年，重点是开发新的OSRI技术，该研究将提供光学互连子系统和系统，以期光子互连和开关能够以每比特亚皮焦耳的能量运行。这项理论和实验研究将使麦吉尔的工业合作伙伴爱立信能够领导加拿大和全球开发具有成本效益的高性能解决方案，以满足日益增长的连接需求。研究工作的方向将如下：(i)将发展使欧空局系统能够使用的准确分析公式和现实模拟；（ii）将使用麦吉尔大学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。这使得服务提供商可以为居民和商业客户提供廉价的数据和视频为中心的产品，以造福加拿大人。最后，这个项目产生的新知识和训练有素的高素质人员将提高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.