Computer architects have realized that interconnection bandwidth has become a critical limitation to the development of highperformance multiprocessor systems. Major reason is that the progress of processor performance has increasingly outpaced that of the interconnection networks, thereby limiting the usefulness of multiprocessor systems. This work presents a comprehensive study and the development of optoelectronic-based network routers. Optoelectronic technology can potentially provide ample bandwidth required by multiprocessor systems but at the same time can raise some critical issues that are discussed here such as on-chip wiring and chip packaging. We also proposed new architectural techniques suitable for the development of optoelectronic-based network routers to increase the network bandwidth utilization.

Abstract. The continuing improvement of processor performance has increased the demand on interconnection bandwidth at a rate that outpaces the bandwidth provided by conventional electrical interconnects. By combining a high-bandwidth optical interconnect technology with the ubiquitous high-performance CMOS technology, optoelectronic routers show the potential to supply greater bandwidth capacity as well as complex functionality suitable for developing high-performance interconnection networks demanded by current and next-generation processors. However, developing optoelectronic chips at this level of complexity is not conventional and, hence, there are several issues to be investigated. In this work we evaluate design issues regarding the integration of complex CMOS core circuitry with optoelectronic SEEDs using a semi-analytical model. Our results show that complex optoelectronic chips can still yield better interconnection bandwidth compared to high-performance CMOS chips, albeit at the expense of decreased transister density and increased critical paths.

Multiprocessor network is a communication fabric that handles all the global transactions among processing nodes and therefore is central to the development of multiprocessor systems. Recent technological trends have indicated that the performance of multiprocessor systems is limited by the available network bandwidth, which is provided through the conventional electrical interconnects. Optical interconnects based on optoelectronic technology, on the other hand, has the potential to solve the problem through its hugebandwidth capability. Since this technology comes at high cost, it must be efficiently utilized. To achieve this goal, this paper presents the work of the SPIDERS project--a multiprocessor network development testbed that is being constructed at the Electrical Engineering Department, Kasetsart University. This tool will be used not only for studying in depth the concepts of multiprocessor network but also for investigating novel architectural techniques, which is necessary to improve the bandwidth utilization of optical interconnects and, therefore, justifies its viability in next-generation multiprocessor systems.