Avicena is developing highly parallel LED based optical link technology for chip-to-chip interconnects in HPC, Cloud computing, and processor-to-memory disaggregation applications. The technology is based on arrays of novel GaN high-speed microLEDs, leveraging the LED display ecosystem, and Si based PDs integrated into a single CMOS chip and connected with multi-core fiber bundle. At energy efficiency of 10Tbps/mm2 @ < 0.5pJ/bit combined with excellent reliability over the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +150°C this new class of optical interconnects eliminates the inherent power, reach and interference limitations of electrical links in chip-to-chip communications.
Alasdair Fikouras is a senior development process engineer for Avicena in Scotland, where he is responsible for optical characterisation and process development of Avicena’s remarkable CROMEs. He completed his PhD from University of St Andrews in 2020 optimising the fabrication process of III-V semiconductors, and characterising them for bio-applications.