MEMS promise advanced switching

17 Jun 2002

A new design of optical interconnect is set to bypass traditional fiber-optic electronics.

US-based Ohio State University researchers have designed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) that could offer a reliable and scaleable solution to today's network bottlenecks.

The optical interconnect is based on a silicon chip that contains a two-dimensional array of electrostatically controlled "flipping" micromirrors. Fixed mirrors are also added, making the interconnect three dimensional.

Once built, the interconnect will flip its mirrors and reflect incoming light signals to the fixed mirrors, which then direct the light to the desired location. The researchers claim that it is their combination of fixed and flipping mirrors that will ensure good reliability.

"The interconnect has built-in redundancy so that if a micromirror fails who cares?" said Betty Lise Anderson, associate professor of electrical engineering at Ohio State University. "Other mirrors will take its place."

"Due to the design, the interconnect will also require less precision in mirror aiming and may be more tolerant of vibrations than current three dimensional interconnects," she added.

Anderson also says that she expects the design to be scaleable and eventually contain thousands of ports to transfer light signals from one fiber-optic cable to the next. Switching speeds will be of the order of microseconds.

Currently undergoing proof-of-concept tests, the researchers are developing and commercializing the interconnect with an Ohio State University spin-off called OptiConnect. Reports say that test results look very promising and the researchers hope to have a working model in the next few years.