Optical interconnects in parallel computer RWC-1

Abstract

Massively parallel computers require an extremely high throughput and a high flexibility in the layout of nodes, boards and cabinets. Optical-fiber transmission is suitable for the inter-node connection in these computer systems because fiber-optics features large throughput, low loss, light weight, compactness, and immunity to electro-magnetic interference (EMI). To confirm the feasibility of interconnection with fiber-optics, we have built two prototype systems: (1) RWC-1/H which uses 36-bit parallel optical interconnection and, (2) RWC-1/N which has calibration free multiplex-demultiplexed optical interconnection, as derivatives of the massively parallel computer RWC-1.