ABSTRACT
Generation of optical carriers for board level data connection is discussed. The role that optics will play in computational structures is analyzed and discussed. The need for optical interconnection in memory hard problems is motivated. The data rates of next-generation all to all transmission is estimated to be in the peta bit per second (Pbps) range. Calculations of the number of wavelength division multiplexed channels given present-day optical modulator technology indicate that individual optical sources will need to generate tens of carriers suitable for multi-gigabit modulation and detection. Methods for producing dense WDM channels efficiently are reviewed. Recent results from the literature are discussed in light of simulation results in an effort to point at the most promising directions. Electrically driven comb generation is seen to be an effective means of producing the tens of channels needed per optical source for Pbps interconnection.
