Shared-source-row optical data channel organization for a switched arbitrated on-chip optical network

A method for optical data communication, comprising:

• allocating a first timeslot to a first sending node in an arbitration domain and a second timeslot to a second sending node in the arbitration domain;
• switching, using a first output switch associated with the first sending node, a first data item from the first sending node onto a first waveguide segment of a first optical data link (ODL) during the first timeslot;
• redirecting, using an optical coupler pair, the first data item from the first waveguide segment of the first ODL to a first waveguide segment of a second ODL operatively coupled to a receiving node;
• receiving, by the receiving node during the first timeslot, the first data item from the first waveguide segment of the second ODL;
• and
• deactivating the first output switch for the second timeslot,
• wherein optical signals propagate in opposite directions in the first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment of the first ODL, and
• wherein optical signals propagate in same direction in the first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment of the second ODL.

A system comprising:

• a first sending node comprising a first data item for transmission to a receiving node during a first timeslot;
• a second sending node comprising a second data item for transmission to the receiving node during a second timeslot, wherein the first and second sending nodes are located within a node row of a node array;
• a horizontal optical data link (ODL) operatively coupled to a vertical ODL, wherein the vertical ODL is operatively coupled to the receiving node;
• a first optical output switch operatively connecting the first sending node and the horizontal ODL and configured to switch the first data item onto the horizontal ODL during the first timeslot;
• a second optical output switch operatively connecting the second sending node and the horizontal ODL and configured to switch the second data item onto the horizontal ODL during the second timeslot;
• and
• an optical coupler operatively connecting the horizontal ODL and the vertical ODL, wherein the optical coupler redirects the first data item and the second data item from the horizontal ODL to the vertical ODL.