Enhanced-Performance Tunable Sources for Fast AWGR-Based Optical Switching Data Center Networks

Optical switching based on arrayed waveguide grating routers (AWGRs) and fast tunable sources is a future-proof solution to overcome the bottleneck of limited bandwidth and high latency of electrical switches-based data center networks (DCNs). To support fine-grained optical packet switching and maintain high network throughputs, tunable sources capable of nanosecond-scale hitless wavelength switching are critical requirements for such fast optically switching networks. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a fast-tunable source based on a high-density multi-wavelength DFB laser array monolithically integrated with a three-stage Y-branch combiner and an SOA. The DFB laser array has an average 100-GHz channel spacing under the same bias current. The output power of all lasers is above 10 mW, with a uniformity of less than 1 dB. Benefitting from the high-speed dynamic property of the DFB laser and high-speed burst drive pulses controlled by a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), less than 3 ns switching time is achieved by the on-off switching of the DFB laser on arrays, which is independent of tuning range. Furthermore, a 2 × 2 optical switching prototype based on this demonstrated chip and AWGRs achieves error-free transmission atop 25 Gbps NRZ per link with 12.8 ns end-to-end reconfiguration, which provides a path toward a high-bandwidth, low-latency, and energy-efficient wavelength-switched network for data centers in the post-Moore's Law era.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Lightwave Technology
Published
2024-08-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1109/jlt.2024.3441859
Citations
5
Primary Topic
Advanced Optical Network Technologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.04

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Enhanced-Performance Tunable Sources for Fast AWGR-Based Optical Switching Data Center Networks

Yunshan Zhang, Jiaqiang Nie, Xiangfei Chen, Rulei Xiao et al.
5 citations
Journal of Lightwave Technology
Advanced Optical Network Technologies
1.04
article

Enhanced-Performance Tunable Sources for Fast AWGR-Based Optical Switching Data Center Networks

Yunshan Zhang, Jiaqiang Nie, Xiangfei Chen, Rulei Xiao, Wenhe Yin, Yashe Liu, Mi Li, Manhang Zheng, Li Du, Tao Fang, Jun Lu, Zhiqian Yin, Xuwei Xue, Zhenxing Sun, Yuan Du, Chunhui Zhang, Leilei Wang, Qi Sun, Xin Lu, Feng Wang
article en
5 citations

Abstract

Optical switching based on arrayed waveguide grating routers (AWGRs) and fast tunable sources is a future-proof solution to overcome the bottleneck of limited bandwidth and high latency of electrical switches-based data center networks (DCNs). To support fine-grained optical packet switching and maintain high network throughputs, tunable sources capable of nanosecond-scale hitless wavelength switching are critical requirements for such fast optically switching networks. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a fast-tunable source based on a high-density multi-wavelength DFB laser array monolithically integrated with a three-stage Y-branch combiner and an SOA. The DFB laser array has an average 100-GHz channel spacing under the same bias current. The output power of all lasers is above 10 mW, with a uniformity of less than 1 dB. Benefitting from the high-speed dynamic property of the DFB laser and high-speed burst drive pulses controlled by a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), less than 3 ns switching time is achieved by the on-off switching of the DFB laser on arrays, which is independent of tuning range. Furthermore, a 2 × 2 optical switching prototype based on this demonstrated chip and AWGRs achieves error-free transmission atop 25 Gbps NRZ per link with 12.8 ns end-to-end reconfiguration, which provides a path toward a high-bandwidth, low-latency, and energy-efficient wavelength-switched network for data centers in the post-Moore's Law era.

Journal of Lightwave TechnologyVol. 42(24)
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CN), Huawei Technologies (China) (CN), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CN), Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (CN), National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 23%
Advanced Optical Network Technologies
1.04
DOISourceOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.