Compact, high bit rate modules for intra board optical interconnects

Discusses point-to-point connections carrying aggregate data rates of up to 30 Gbit/s between racks of equipment and between boards on the same rack i.e. over distances from a few metres up to a few kilometres. Example applications of such short-haul high capacity interconnects are for rationalising the interconnection between equipment racks within central offices, and for distributing data between boards in parallel computers. An attractive solution to these problems is the use of short distance optical interconnects in which transmitter and receiver arrays are interconnected by optical fibre ribbons. By operating each channel within the array at an intermediate bit rate, say 1 Gbit/s - 2.4 Gbit/s, and using arrays of up to twelve elements, extremely high aggregate data rates can be achieved without the additional difficulties associated with multiplexing up to lines rate of 40 Gbit/s or more. The ESPRIT SPIBOC project discussed seeks to promote standardisation