Advances in efficient optical links to enhance desktop multimedia processor systems

Rapid progresses in computers, telecommunication, and consumer electronics research have stimulated the emergence of powerful multimedia systems that will have profound impacts on scientific, industrial, business endeavors, and even our daily lives. Continuous advances in deep-submicron microelectronic fabrication technologies have made possible the integration of millions of transistors on a single silicon microchip. However, one of the anticipated major technological breakthroughs will be the efficient and reliable use of optical links to increase the communication bandwidth and quality of electronic systems. Optical links can be used not only at the machine-to-machine level, but also at the board-to-board and chip-to-chip levels. The architecture, design, and associated measurement results are presented regarding the use of optical interconnections to enhance desktop multimedia computing systems.