Wavelength-Division-Multiplexed (WDM) Data-Block Switching for Parallel Computing and Interconnects

We report a new generation switch, the data-block switch, which can greatly increase the capacity and reduce thecomplexity of the interconnect network of a parallel computing system. By using WDM techniques, parallel data can bemultiplexed and transmitted through a single fiber. By using photonic switching techniques, we can switch a block of paralleldata in one switch operation to any site desired. In this work, we demonstrate such an operation with our fabricated 1 x 2semiconductor...