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Intel Turns to Light to Transfer Data Inside PCs — Parallax Forums

Intel Turns to Light to Transfer Data Inside PCs

HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
edited 2010-08-09 17:55 in General Discussion
"Intel researchers said that the optical technology could ultimately replace the use of copper wires and electrons to carry data inside or around computers."
http://www.pcworld.com/article/202018/intel_turns_to_light_to_transfer_data_inside_pcs.html


This is an interesting article I though many here might enjoy reading.
I wonder if I could play with the concept by adding optical I/O to a Prop
chip by wiring an IR led and a phototransistor directly to it. You could
even have a processor with only the two power leads connected. It
would not be very practical, but would be fun to play with. I see this
optical data handling eventually leading to the demise of multi-layer
complex circuit boards as all data is sent using optical signals.

202018-50g_silicon_photonics_link-23_606_350.jpg

Comments

  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2010-08-09 01:12
    Optical interconnects are nice and all, but the real goal is the photonic crystal that has already been invented, and developed, and subsequently hidden.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photonic_crystal

    350px-Photonic-crystal-fiber-from-NRL.jpg

    Hidden most likely under title of national security because its apparently considered "national security" when only the criminals and secret societies involved in government have the "intel" and access to it and the super technologies its capable of.

    The Smile they sell us is decades behind what they can REALLY manufacture.
    Ever wonder why the cpu core clock speeds have remained CONSTANT for the last 8+ years?

    Where is that 10ghz intel chip?

    Even today the highest clock rate intel chip you can buy at affordable prices is still only 3ghz. (3ghz is even at the higher end today)
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2010-08-09 05:03
    From what I've read Intel thought the Pentium 4 would scale to 10 GHz, but electrons leaking from transisters created to much heat. So they abandoned that architecture in favor of a modified Pentium 3 with multiple cores.

    Lately they have been focusing on MIPS per Watt as heat is the barrier to higher speeds.
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2010-08-09 05:12
    Martin_H wrote: »
    Lately they have been focusing on MIPS per Watt as heat is the barrier to higher speeds.


    So apparently major, unlimited in funding, companies can't find some intelligent people to solve some not so difficult issues with heat piping, heat conduits, and OH MY GOSH, dare I say it?

    THERMAL WAVEGUIDES???????????????????? (aka photonic crystal, LOL)


    IM CALLING THE PRESIDENT OF INTEL OUT RIGHT HERE, WESTERN STYLE NOON DRAW.

    If you can't do it, let me take over.

    Paul Otellini, Intel Corporation president and CEO, DRAW.

    Heck, I'll DRAW it all right in autocad.
    Layer by layer.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-08-09 09:28
    Why do you need a 10GHz clock speed. Yes it is possible as proof that 10GHz ethernet does exist. Is it practical. As far as I can tell no. Since going above 3GHz becomes impractical they have focised on more cores. AMD now has a 6core 3GHz chip that is the equivalent of 18GHz if your application is writen to use multiple threads.

    Intel has a prototype 48 core chip(I beleive it was 2GHz).

    Multi core has a big advantage over single core when you are using a multi threaded OS. Now if you are using dos you are out of luck.
  • icepuckicepuck Posts: 466
    edited 2010-08-09 16:34
    mctrivia wrote: »
    Why do you need a 10GHz clock speed.

    For the next version of windows;)
    -dan
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-08-09 17:55
    you don't need a 10GHz clock for windows 8. Just 5 of your 3GHz cores. the remainding core you can use for all your other software. :)
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