A Distributed Computing Demonstration System Using FSOI Inter-Processor Communication

Presented here is a computational system which uses free-space optical interconnect (FSOI) communication between processing elements to perform distributed calculations. Technologies utilized in the development of this system are integrated two-dimensional Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and MSM-photodetector arrays, custom CMOS ASICs, custom optics, wire-bonded chip-on-board assembly, and FPGA-based control. Emphasis will be placed on the system architecture, processing element features which facilitate the system integration, and the overall goals of this system.

Authors and Affiliations

1. ECE Dept, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

   J. Ekman, F. Kiamilev & X. Wang

2. ECE Dept., University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA

   C. Berger & S. Esener

3. Mercury Computer Systems Inc., Chelmsford, MA, 01824, USA

   H. Spaanenburg

4. Optical Micro Machines, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA

   P. Marchand

Editors and Affiliations

1. Centre Universitaire d’Informatique, Université de Genève, 24, rue Général Dufour, CH-1211, Genève 4, Switzerland

   José Rolim

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