Polymer Waveguide-Based Optical Backplane for Fine-Grained Computing

The interconnection requirements of fine-grained computing are examined and compared to the requirements of coarser grained, multiplexed systems. Specifications for the interconnection medium are developed and compared to the performance of available optical source and interconnection components. The use of polyimide waveguides for both applications is considered and the probable architecture of a multiboard fine-grained system is described.