Title :
The design and interconnection of a free-space photonic/electronic ATM switching module
Author :
Dames, M.P. ; Collington, J.R. ; Crossland, W.A. ; Scarr, R.W.A.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Eng., Cambridge Univ., UK
Abstract :
The high fan-out/fan-in capabilities of free-space optics are investigated when combined with a novel modulator/detector technology (known as opto-RAM) allowing highly parallelised optical read/write from silicon VLSI memory structures. Such technology opens up the possibility of implementing highly connected ATM switching modules with reduced cross-office transfer rates. The technology is ferroelectric liquid crystal (LC) light modulators embedded in standard VLSI circuitry.
Keywords :
asynchronous transfer mode; electronic switching systems; integrated optoelectronics; optical interconnections; optical storage; photonic switching systems; random-access storage; ATM; cross-office transfer rate; design; detector; electronic switching module; ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulator; free-space optics; interconnection; opto-RAM; photonic switching module; silicon VLSI memory circuit; Asynchronous transfer mode; Fabrics; Integrated circuit interconnections; Optical buffering; Optical interconnections; Optical modulation; Optical switches; Read-write memory; Silicon; Very large scale integration;
Conference_Titel :
Advanced Applications of Lasers in Materials Processing/Broadband Optical Networks/Smart Pixels/Optical MEMs and Their Applications. IEEE/LEOS 1996 Summer Topical Meetings:
Conference_Location :
Keystone, CO, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3175-3
DOI :
10.1109/LEOSST.1996.540763
