6. Projects and Collaborations
involving

Fiber Optic Interconnections



Projects and collaborations around the world are curently underway in developing fiber optics. Part of these researches involves as well the development of optical fiber interconnections within computer systems.



The HORIZON Logo

The HORIZontal action on Optical Network (HORIZON) was set up in Europe as a coordination project betweem vrious bodies and institution in the continent. The basic approach of this co-ordination project is to sub-divide the subject of optical networks into logical technology areas, with a partner responsible for activities within that area. Each partner monitors and co-ordinate activities within his area, the whole project spanning all the areas of network development and design. These groups organise workshops etc in each area and draft annual reports on the status of developments in each technology area.


PLATO Logo

One of Horizon's project that deals with optical fiber interconnections is the Photonic Links in ATM and Optical systems (PLATO) project. Its aim is to develope key building blocks for re-configurable interconnections for optical or hybrid electro-optical systems. Hopefully the interconnection system will be reconfigurable in an easy and cost effective way, and compatible with existing equipment practice.


Broadband switching system with
integrated Plato building block

The figure on the left shows the architechture of a broad band switching system integrated with different building blocks for optical interconnection currently under experimentation. It is hoped that the system can be used in a variety of systems where parallel optical interconnections, point to point interconnections, fibre handling, massive cable volumes or recabling becomes an issue. The interconnection concept can be used in the access network, transmission networks and the distribution area of the operator.



In Canada, the Photonic Systems Group was created within Institute of Information Technology (IIT). The IIT is one of 17 research institute of Canada's National Research Council (NRC). The emphasis of Photonic Systems Group is the application of leading-edge photonic technology for high-speed processing and transmission of data both within and between computers. Their research projects include High-Speed Networks, All-optical Network Elements, Optical Processing and Optical Interconnects. Their research cover designs and usages of fiber optics in computer networks and also developing optical fiber components for the use in computer systems.


Photograph of Tranciever

The photograph above shows a optical fiber tranceiver created by integrating thin-film optoelectronic devices onto silicon VLSI. The optical tranceiver chip receives four optical signals, multiplexes them onto one line and then transmits this multiplexed signal optically via an on-chip light emitting diode.