Technology
Technology
The New Photonic Computing Paradigm
oMAC
Optical Multiply Accumulate
Based on a silicon photonics platform compatible with CMOS processes, optical-electrical co-design, and advanced packaging solutions
Novel design using high speed, configurable, compact modulators
Unique computing architecture: coherent and incoherent architectures
Hardware-algorithm co-optimization
Methods
CMOS-compatible silicon photonic process platform, photo-electric co-design, advanced packaging
High-speed compact and configuarable photo-electric modulator
Novel computer architecture, MZI-based interfering/non-interfering solutions
Hardware-software co-optimization
Significance
Superior energy efficiency
Ultra-low latency
Strong parallel computing capabilities
Lesser requirement on process node and lower manufacturing cost
oNOC
Optical Network on Chip
Data is transmitted in the optical chip network
Accelerates data transmission within a single electronic chip (EIC)
Accelerates data communication between multiple electronic chips (EIC) within a single package unit
Energy efficiency ratio is as low as < 1pJ/bit, which is 1/6 of eNOC
Methods
Construction of a communication network topology, connecting single or multiple electrical chips (EIC) via nodes on photonic chip (PIC), enabling high speed data interconnect based on oNOC
Novel network topology based on optical broadcasting and wavelength division multiplexing
Significance
High bandwidth, low energy consumption, low latency, distance-independent
Strong versatility, providing high-speed interconnect among different types of electronic chips
Wide applications in bandwidth-constrained user cases
oNET
Optical Networking
Photonic chip integrated with optical BUS, which collects data within one package unit and interacts with other package units through light propagation medium
oNET bandwidth is orders of magnitude greater than eNET
oNET energy consumption ~2pJ/bit, which is 1/4 of NVLink3.0
oNET latency ~3.5ns, which is 1/3 of NVLink3.0
Methods
PIC-EIC co-package, PIC with transceiver sends / receives signal and performs electrical-optical / optical-electrical conversion
When sending, data flows from EIC → PIC → External
When receiving, data flows from External → PIC → EIC
Significance
High energy efficiency, low optical propagation loss
High bandwidth, low latency
Distance-independent
