Free-space optical interconnect for high-performance MCM systems

An efficient co-optimization algorithm of placement and routing for high-performance multichip module (MCM) systems utilizing free-space optical interconnect technology is introduced. A computer-aided design (CAD) tool is developed for optimizing placement of modules and routing of electro-optic interconnects simultaneously without exceeding the routing capacity of the optical interconnect. About 48% saving in total routing cost is achieved through the use of 600 optical interconnects with 100 modules. It translates to doubling of the MCM performance.