Design of an optically-interconnected multiprocessor

This paper presents the design of an optically interconnected multiprocessor. The design is oriented to applications where the performance is bandwidth limited in conventional multiprocessors. The system utilizes board-level polymer waveguides to reduce manufacturing costs. The processor interconnection network, called Gemini, has a Banyan topology and is composed of dual optical and electronic networks. The optical data paths (circuit switched) are used for passing large data blocks and the matched electrical data paths (packet switched) are used for control of the optical interconnect and for short data messages.