Reconfigurable free space optical data center network using gimbal-less MEMS retroreflective acquisition and tracking

摘要

Robust and agile reconfigurable free space optical communication (FSO) links over dynamic traffic play a key role in next generation flexible wireless datacenter inter-rack networks, in terms of high throughput, dynamic robustness, cable complexity and energy efficiency. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an agile reconfigurable lOGbps FSO system incorporated with intelligent beam acquisition and tracking mechanism based on gimbal-less two-axis MEMS micro-mirror and retro-reflective film optics. Steering latency and alignment accuracy of reconfigurable FSO links are evaluated over various distances and directions, and get enhanced by intelligent adaptive acquisition and tracking schemes. Optical power loss and bit error rate of reconfigurable lOGbps FSO links with mobility are reported over a distance of 13 m. Results show that it is feasible to use MEMS retroreflective acquisition and tracking system to achieve agile reconfigurable FSO links for flexible wireless datacenter inter-rack networks.