Lead Inventor:
Keren Bergman, Ph.D.
Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOAs) for OPS Networks Result in Reduced Network Efficiencies
Optical packet switched (OPS) networks are being developed as a means to increase the performance of interconnects in a variety of applications ranging from Internet core routers to the switching fabrics of High-Performance Computing Systems by potentially offering time-of-flight latencies and terabyte capacities via wavelength division multiplexing. The semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) has emerged as the preeminent switching device in OPS networks as a result of its broad gain bandwidth, high extinction ratio, and integrability, among other favorable characteristics.
The SOA technology present in the market today has been extensively developed for use in telecom environments. However, critical dissimilarities exist between the mode of operation of SOAs in telecom applications and OPS networks. Namely, commercially available SOAs are designed for operation as static optical amplifiers and are not optimized for ""digital"" active switching, a function necessary for their utilization as optical gates in an OPS switch. Specifically, the inadequate transient characteristics of commercial SOAs (e.g. rise and fall times, etc.) need to be accounted for in system designs, ultimately resulting in reduced network efficiencies.
Integrated Optical Amplifier Solution Optimized for OPS Network Applications
This technology consists of a novel SOA design featuring reduced gain distortion and faster switching times compared to that of state-of-the-art commercially available SOAs. By integrating a high-performance current driver in a temperature-controlled hybrid integration platform, the parasitic inductances and capacitances arising from packaging and device structure are minimized, resulting in a SOA with optimal characteristics for OPS network applications.
Applications:
• Significantly improves the transient response of SOA devices (e.g. reduced switching times, minimal distortion)
• Provides an integrated optical amplifier solution optimized for fast switching network applications requiring a small device footprint
Advantages:
• Improves digital operation of device resulting in greater network scalability in cascaded-SOA networks
• Leads to higher packet duties in OPS networks, thus providing higher overall network throughput and efficiency
Patent Status: Patent Pending (US20080285971A1) ~ see link below.
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing and Sponsored Research Support
Publications: Liboiron-Ladouceur O, and Bergman, K. Hybrid Integration of a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for High Throughput Optical Packet Switched Interconnection Networks.
SPIE Photonics North 2006, in Proc. 6343 (2) (Jun 2006)