Optoelectronic Interconnect Technology Demonstration for Advanced C3I Netwcrk Communications

Solicitation AF 94-038 requires the development of innovative concepts to enhance the performance, availability and affordability of C3I systems and subsystems. OptiComp Corporation proposes to develop a high speed photonic switching architecture by exploiting its enabling "Smart" GaAs optoelectronic interconnect technology. This implementation will allow data transmission with addressing (or routing) to be performed in a single stage. A prototype architecture will provide a high speed inter-module interconnect without the power requirements and cross-talk limitations of electronic circuitry. Specifically three objectives will be accomplished during Phase I. Initially, an 8 x 8 element, optoelectronic fast packet, switching array suitable for ATM controller test bed development will be designed. Subsequently, an optical multiplex (MUX) architecture based on global (multidimensional) "Smart" GaAs optoelectronic interconnect technology will be developed as a predecessor to crossbar technology. A system layout of a 3:8 data router operating at 1O MHz will then be demonstrated in the laboratory. Multi-element arrays of DANE "Smart" pixels will provide the required packet switching and controlling functions within the ATM protocol. "DANE" refers to the GaAs "Smart" pixel which (1) detects light, (2) amplifies the result, (3) negates the result (inversion) and (4) emits the resultant Boolean value through the output laser. Diffractive optical interconnect elements (DOIEs) provide the signal routing for the decoder by selectively imaging, in free space, each element on the DANE's laser diode array to predetermined positions on the next DANE detector plane.