The Role of Photonics in Data Centers
Muyiwa Balogun, VPIphotonics USA
Abstract
Efficient data transmission and capacity demand within and between data centers is increasing relentlessly. Additionally, the increase in the number of data centers we have today stems directly from the increasing popularity of AI/ML, cloud computing, IoT, video streaming, and more. These demanding applications have put enormous pressure on existing technologies, networks, and data centers. Optical communications and photonic technologies play a vital role in the transmission and processing of data within and between data centers. However, transmission system capacity and energy remain major issues that need to be addressed. Data centers, for example, consume considerable power, which is expected to more than double over the next decade. Thus, the need for high-speed data transmission and energy-efficient technologies become more important now than ever. Currently, different solutions are being explored, which prioritize the production of low-power-consuming technologies. Also, most of these solutions are geared towards efficient support for high-speed data transmission and data processing.
We will give a historical perspective to the data centers we have all around us today, discuss the relevant technologies being used, and the future evolution of these technologies. This presentation is intended to give researchers a clear understanding of future research directions and to give commercial players clear insights into current technology trends, future needs, challenges, and opportunities.
About the speaker
I obtained a PhD in Telecommunications from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, a master’s degree from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, a diploma in Project Management from University College Dublin, Ireland, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Currently, I work as an Optical Systems Application Engineer at VPIphotonics USA. Before joining VPIphotonics, I was a Research Fellow at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, and the Irish Photonic Integration Center in Dublin, Ireland under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie/European Union’s Horizon 2020 project. My research focused on nonlinearity-resistant optical communication systems using nonlinear frequency division multiplexing, algorithm development for coherent optical OFDM systems, and the non-orthogonal multiple access scheme for wireless applications.
Parking and location
The talk will be held at UR River Campus, Goergen 101. Parking is available in the lot across the street in Intercampus Drive Lot, and is free for talk attendees (no pass needed).
Pre-talk Dinner
A pre-talk dinner will be held at the King and I Thailand Cuisine at 5:15 pm on 12/10 located at 1455 East Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623. If you would like to attend, please contact the house committee by email to make reservations. Email: house@opticarochester.org
