Intel successfully overcame the limitations of existing optical input/output (I/O) computing technology through R&D. By implementing optical (photonics) technology that improves input/output performance and power efficiency, it has laid the foundation for the next-generation I/O computing market. By utilizing processes secured by Intel, commercialization possibilities such as mass production have also increased.
Intel Lab announced on the 7th that it has implemented multi-wavelength integrated photonics technology, which resulted in exceeding industry standards. Photonics based optical I/O computing can send and receive high-bandwidth signals via optical fibers, instead of conventional I/Os that transmit electrical signals through copper wires. It is considered to be the next-generation of I/O technology.
Intel Labs has implemented an 8-wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array that provides excellent output uniformity of +/-0.25 decibels (dB) and a wavelength interval uniformity of ±6.5%. The output uniformity and wavelength intervals exceed the industry average.
The results of this study show excellent technology-based optical connection performance by separating the light source into uniform wavelengths while maintaining uniform optical output power. It solves wavelength interval uniformity and output problems that were difficult to implement with existing dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) technology. In response to the soaring demand for high-bandwidth artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the future, next-generation I/O computing using advanced optical connectivity technology can now be created.
The laser array, which is the core technology, is designed and manufactured based on Intel's commercial 300mm hybrid silicon optical platform. The same exposure technology as the 300mm silicon wafer was used in the Intel process. By fully utilizing existing process technology, they were able to increase manufacturing capabilities. Cost reduction is also possible in mass production. Intel plans to apply photonics technology to increase power efficiency and connectivity between the central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and memory.
Intel predicts that demand for silicon photonics will increase in telecommunication infrastructure and data centers, in order to process and transmit larger amounts of data. Intel Lab, an Intel research organization, is conducting R&D on silicon photonics technology. It decided to commercialize and transfer the technology to the data center business division, after successful research results. Intel has shipped over 6 million Intel 100G transceivers and integrated lasers since the launch of commercial products in 2016. Currently, Intel Lab has established an integrated photonics research organization to continuously develop next-generation technologies.
Seung-joo Na, managing director of Intel Korea, said, “Recently, there is growing interest in Korea for silicon photonics technology. In particular, faster data transmission between buildings and between floors is possible in large-scale data centers, which can improve the performance of data centers and reduce costs," furthermore, “It is being used not only in data centers but also in telecommunication infrastructure."
According to Polaris Market Research, a market research company, the global silicon photonics market is expected to grow from $1 billion in 2021 to about $9 billion by 2030 with an annual growth rate of 27.4%.
By Staff Reporter Dong-jun Kwon djkwon@etnews.com