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Advances in semiconductor technologies coupled with progress
in parallel processing and distributed computing are placing
stringent requirements on inter-system and intra-system
communications. Demands for high density, high bandwidth,
and low power interconnections are already present in a wide
variety of computing and switching applications, including,
for example, multiprocessing and parallel computing
(simulations of real problems, monitoring of parallel
programming, etc), and enhanced digital telecommunications
services (broadcast TV, video on demand, video conferencing,
wireless communication, etc.). Furthermore, with advances in
silicon and Ga-As technologies, processor speed will soon
reach the gigahertz (GHz) range. Thus, the communication
technology is becoming and will remain a potential
bottleneck in many systems. This dictates that significant
progress needs to be made in the traditional metal-based
interconnects, and/or that new interconnect technologies,
such as optics, be introduced in these systems.
Optical means are now widely used in telecommunication networks and the evolution of optical and optoelectronic technologies tends to show that they could be successfully introduced in shorter distance interconnection systems such as parallel computers. These technologies offer a wide range of techniques that can be used in interconnection systems. But introducing optics in interconnect systems also means that specific problems have yet to be solved while some unique features of the technology must be taken into account in order to design optimal systems. Such problems and features include device characteristics, network topologies, packaging issues, compatibility with silicon processors, novel architectures and system level modeling. The purpose of this workshop is two-fold. First, we hope to provide a good opportunity for the optical, architecture and communication research communities to get together for a fruitful cross-ferti1lization and exchange of ideas. The goal is to bring the optical interconnects research into the mainstream research in parallel processing, while at the same time provide the parallel processing community with a more comprehensive understanding of the advantages and limitations of optics as applied to high-speed communications. In addition, we intend to assemble a group of major research contributors in the field of optical interconnects for assessing its current status, and identifying future directions. |