Modular optical backplane and enclosure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016154196-A1
Application number	US-201313794875-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 12, 2013
Priority date	Aug 29, 2012
Publication date	Jun 2, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to decomposing an all-to-all interconnection network topology into a plurality of smaller all-to-all interconnection network elements, replicating the interconnection network elements in a modular fashion, wherein the modular interconnection network elements construct the all-to-all interconnection network topology. Embodiments are directed to an apparatus comprising a shuffle cable assembly comprising a plurality of shuffle cables, where each of the plurality of shuffle cables comprises a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of connectors, a block configured to organize, align, and maintain a position of the plurality of connectors, and at least one handle coupled to the block and configured to actuate the plurality of connectors.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method comprising:
decomposing an all-to-all interconnection network topology into a plurality of smaller all-to-all interconnection network elements; replicating the interconnection network elements in a modular fashion; wherein the modular interconnection network elements construct the all-to-all interconnection network topology.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
organizing the smaller elements by determining a size or dimension for at least one component included in the smaller elements; and forming an assembly based on the organized smaller elements.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
using a plurality of point-to-point links to connect each port of the topology to every other node of the topology.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein each point-to-point link comprises a first channel configured to transmit data in a first direction and a second channel configured to transmit data in a second direction opposite the first direction.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the smaller elements comprises a shuffle cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and connectors, and a block configured to organize, align, and maintain a plurality of the connectors.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
enclosing the smaller elements within a rigid casing or enclosure.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
coupling the smaller elements to a plurality of drawers associated with a server computer in order to connect each of the plurality of drawers to one another.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of drawers comprises a plurality of power supplies, a computing section, a set of hub modules configured to provide a network interface and packet-routing switches, at least one input/output (I/O) card, and at least one optical connector.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Benner Alan F
• Graybill David
• Seminaro Edward J
• Rieland Richard

Classifications

• G02B6/44526

  Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack · CPC title

• G02B6/44528

  Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box (routing arrangements H04Q1/00) · CPC title

• G02B6/43 Primary

  Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections · CPC title

• G02B6/3897

  Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B6/4452 Primary

  Distribution frames · CPC title