Data center with free-space optical communications

A data center, comprising:

• a plurality of data center units (DCUs) disposed in a region, wherein each DCU is configured to run a part or all of a data processing application using a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) coupled to an intra-DCU network, and wherein at least a first of the plurality of data center units has an optical interface unit (OIU), wherein the OIU is configured to couple the intra-DCU network of the DCU to an internal network of one or more free space optical communication links, and wherein the OIU includes one or more independently steerable transmitting elements, independently steerable redirecting elements, and/or independently steerable receiving elements for communications over the free space optical communication links.

A method, comprising:

• providing a plurality of data center units (DCUs) disposed in a data center, wherein each DCU is configured to run a part or all of a data processing application using a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) coupled to an intra-DCU network;
• and
• providing at least a first of the plurality of data center units with an optical interface unit (OIU), wherein the OIU is configured to connect the intra-DCU network of the DCU unit to an internal network of one or more free space optical communication links, and wherein the OIU includes one or more acousto-optically and/or electro-optically steerable elements for transmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the free space optical communication links.