The Data Vortex Optical Packet Switched Interconnection Network

• Published in: Journal of lightwave technology Vol. 26; no. 13; pp. 1777 - 1789
• Main Authors: Liboiron-Ladouceur, O., Shacham, A., Small, B.A., Lee, B.G., Wang, H., Lai, C.P., Biberman, A., Bergman, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-07-2008; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Architecture; Computer networks; Exact sciences and technology; Fiber optic communications; Fluid flow; Interconnected networks; Interconnection; Interconnection networks (multiprocessor); Multiprocessor interconnection networks; Network topology; Networks; Networks and services in france and abroad; Optical buffering; Optical devices; Optical interconnections; Optical packet switching; Optical vortices; Organization and planning of networks (techniques and equipments); packet switching; photonic switching systems; Prototypes; Routing; Routing (telecommunications); Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Studies; Switching and signalling; Switching theory; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Teleprocessing networks. Isdn; Transmission and modulation (techniques and equipments); Vortices; wavelength-division multiplexing; Interconnection network; Prototype; Deflection; Bit error rate; Optical telecommunication; wavelength-division multiplexing; Network architecture; Implementation; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Topological structure; Wide band; Optical switching; photonic switching systems; Optical fiber communication; Vortex; Separator circuit; Multistage circuit; Signal integrity; Packet switched network; Optical component; Packet switching; Multistage method; Interconnection networks (multiprocessor); Wavelength division multiplexing; Routing; Information transmission; optical interconnections; Integrated circuit; Telecommunication network; Multiple channel
• ISSN: 0733-8724; 1558-2213
• DOI: 10.1109/JLT.2007.913739

A complete review of the data vortex optical packet switched (OPS) interconnection network architecture is presented. The distributed multistage network topology is based on a banyan structure and incorporates a deflection routing scheme ideally suited for implementation with optical components. An implemented 12-port system prototype employs broadband semiconductor optical amplifier switching nodes and is capable of successfully routing multichannel wavelength-division multiplexing packets while maintaining practically error-free signal integrity (BER < 10 -12 ) with median latencies of 110 ns. Packet contentions are resolved without the use of optical buffers via a distributed deflection routing control scheme. The entire payload path in the optical domain exhibits a capacity of nearly 1 Tb/s. Further experimental measurements investigate the OPS interconnection network's flexibility and robustness in terms of optical power dynamic range and network timing. Subsequent experimental investigations support the physical layer scalability of the implemented architecture and serve to substantiate the merits of the data vortex OPS network architectural paradigm. Finally, modified design considerations that aim to increase the network throughput and device-level performance are presented.