Microsoft Corporation
USING FREE-SPACE OPTICS TO INTERCONNECT A PLURALITY OF COMPUTING NODES

Abstract:

A system for using free-space optics to interconnect a plurality of computing nodes can include a plurality of node optical transceivers that are electrically coupled to at least some of the plurality of computing nodes. The system can also include a plurality of router optical transceivers that facilitate free-space optical communications with the plurality of node optical transceivers. Each node optical transceiver among the plurality of node optical transceivers can have a corresponding router optical transceiver that is optically coupled to the node optical transceiver. The system can also include a router that is coupled to the plurality of router optical transceivers. The router can be configured to route the free-space optical communications among the plurality of computing nodes.