Gizmodo
IBM's new prototype 48-way optical databus takes up just 3 mm of width on a PCB, and is capable of a truly ridiculous data rate of around 8 Tbps. That's roughly 5,000 high-definition video streams per second, even if better has been done on fiber. Even better, this "green optical link" is a hundred times more power efficient than conventional electronic connections, so the environment benefits too.
Who needs a databus with such a high data rate? For the time being, probably only petaflop supercomputer designers needing to route vast numbers of bits very quickly between parallel processors and memory banks. Before too long though, the size and weight savings offered by that lower power consumption could mean you'd see scaled-down versions of the technology in your laptop or even your phone.
The cleverest bit is that the guys at IBM made these new "optocard" circuits by using commercially available parts and standard techniques like surface-mount soldering. This means the innovations may make it into real products much sooner than if they'd used custom technology.
It's apparently "the world's fastest and most highly integrated optical databus to date," and all that amazing speed is powered by little laser beams, guys... frickin' laser beams. And that's just cool. [Physorg]
Comments
yes please
Optical computing is the future. Im not buying a brand new rig until they come out with good photon based CPUs. And yes, Frickin' Laser Beams.
Laser beams! I said that a little too loud in the office and now everyone is looking at me. They just don't understand sometimes....*freakish cackle to follow*
a bolt of lightnight!
Want... So G D bad...
The optical processors and databuses will probably first appear in hard-core networking hardware. Like the router the next OC standard will plug into.
Just think how much the fluids from your porn collection will fly around inside your machine! At that speeds the money shots will look and feel real as streams of data hit you in the face!
Fortunately we don't have Gates (or someone with his previous mentality) to say, "what? Are you kidding? Gigabit ethernet is as fast as we'll ever need to go."
I'm holding out for the Microsoft Labs 32-way Student 'n Teacher bus or even 64-way Premium Bus. Oh, wait...
How many of these "freakin (surface mount) lasers" would you need to attach to a sharks head??
I love how descriptive this image is, I mean I would have had no idea that this was fast. But then I see your notes on the image and I notice that it is fast. Thank you!
<3
@Xavoc: hahaha, that was great.
I'd rather they skip everything they are working on and move right to this.
...or they can build toward it, whatever.
100000000 Tbps of porn thats what I need
If the image is right the databus is taking up about 0.03 mm, not 3mm.
don't mind me guys, i'm just trying to figure out how to verify myself so i can enter the laptop contest.
could this affect memory access speeds at all?
"Who needs a databus with such a high data rate? For the time being, probably only petaflop supercomputer designers needing to route vast numbers of bits very quickly between parallel processors and memory banks"
All I want to be able to do is run Photoshop on this_
@soldstatic: Oh yeah! They'd have to play catch up in order to keep up_ Every aspect of the computer would have to be upgraded to compensate for this piece of it_
For example Cars_ Thru the years the Engine has been reworked - refined - rebuilt - upgraded - advanced and improved upon_ All the while the Tires - the Brakes - Cooling System - Suspension - Frame - Intake - Exhaust and on and on - have been upgraded and improved upon to match it_ Think about the current Corvette Z06 which houses an LS7 7-litre V8_ Now take that engine and slap it in a Corvette from the 1960's [everything stock but the new engine]_ All of that stuff I listed above wouldn't be able to handle the power output of the engine_
Basically something similar would happen_
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