Broadband Silicon Photonic Packet-Switching Node for Large-Scale Computing Systems

Abstract

We present a broadband packet-switching node that utilizes silicon photonic technology. The node design uses a silicon microring for switching functionality, leverages in-flight header processing for arbitration, and has a tunable driving circuit for thermal-effect mitigation. Moreover, these integrated microring switches are capable of scaling to tremendously high port counts in a compact area, which are attractive for data-center networks. We experimentally characterize the extinction ratio of the switch for varying packet durations, interarrival times, and driving voltages and demonstrate an error-free routing of 10-Gb/s wavelength-striped packets with lengths of up to 1536 ns. We further study the resonance thermal drifting for long- hold-time packet switching through carrier injection and show thermal-effect mitigation using a pre-emphasized gating signal.