Graphene-Based Wireless Agile Interconnects for Massive Heterogeneous Multi-Chip Processors

Abstract

The main design principles in computer architecture have recently shifted from a monolithic scaling-driven approach to the development of heterogeneous architectures that tightly co-integrate multiple specialized processor and memory chiplets. In such data-hungry multi-chip architectures, current Networksin-Package (NiPs) may not be enough to cater to their heterogeneous and fast-changing communication demands. This position paper makes the case for wireless in-package networking as the enabler of efficient and versatile wired-wireless interconnect fabrics for massive heterogeneous processors. To that end, the use of graphene-based antennas and transceivers with unique frequency-beam reconfigurability in the terahertz band is proposed. The feasibility of such a wireless vision and the main research challenges towards its realization are analyzed from the technological, communications, and computer architecture perspectives.

Tunable Plasmonic Graphene Antenna Array for Communications at THz Frequencies

“…This is only possible due to the fact that the wavelength of the SPP supported by graphene sheets is related to the graphene conductivity, which can be tuned chemically or electrically [2]. The compact graphene antenna and its frequency reconfigurability can enable agile wireless interconnects at Network-in-Package (NiP) for future 5G communications at THz frequencies [3]. Unfortunately, graphene antennas present lower gain compared to metallic antennas [4].…”

“…Institute of High Frequency and Quantum Electronics, University of Siegen, 57076 Siegen, Germany 2 AMO GmbH, 52074 Aachen, Germany3 NaNoNetworking Center in Catalunya, Technical University of Catalonia, 08034 Barcelona, Spain4 Chair of Electronic Devices, RWTH Aachen, Germany…”

System-Level Exploration of In-Package Wireless Communication for Multi-Chiplet Platforms

“…Recently, short-distance wireless communication enabled by onchip transceivers and nanoantennas has been proposed to address challenges derived from the high integration effort and the paucity of interconnect resources [11] in chiplet-based platforms. Current wireless technology can support very high bandwidths (up to 120 Gbps have been recently demonstrated in [23], and higher bandwidths are promised by emerging graphene technology [1]) and therefore can potentially enable flexible and high-performance inpackage connectivity. As shown in Figure 1, by eliminating the need for wires to carry signals, the use of nanoantennas addresses both challenges of chiplet integration outlined above.…”

Design of Plasmonic Yagi–Uda Nanoantennas for Chip-Scale Optical Wireless Communications

“…Plasmonic nanoantennas, i.e., high-frequency analogs of Radio Frequency (RF) antennas, can be tailored to operate in the terahertz [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], infrared [ 4 ], and visible frequencies [ 5 ] for a plethora of applications, including directive radiation [ 6 ], gas sensing [ 7 ], biosensing [ 8 ], chemosensing [ 9 ], photovoltaics [ 10 ], electromagnetically induced transparency [ 11 ], and optical microscopy [ 12 ], among others. In particular, the high-frequency operation of plasmonic nanoantennas promises seamless integration of the future sixth generation of mobile communications networks (6G) into existing fiber-optic infrastructures, crucially important to avoid communication bottlenecks.…”

“…In fact, directive nanoantennas have been recently used for lab-on-chip wireless interconnections, including high-speed communication and quantum computing [ 34 , 35 ]. In addition, more complex architectures were proposed on massively heterogeneous processors using optical wireless communications, whose unique terahertz graphene nanoantenna beam reconfigurability demonstrated feasibility for computer architecture communications [ 2 , 3 ]. In the optical domain, on the contrary, reconfigurability at the on-chip wireless interconnection level can be reached through multiple transmitters and receivers using optical-phased antenna arrays [ 36 ].…”