Determination of the optimum cluster parameters in a clustered free-space optical interconnect

A model for a clustered free-space optical interconnect is developed and is used to determine the maximum array density that can be achieved, together with the optimal cluster parameters that maximize this density. This model includes misalignment tolerance and the impact of multimode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser beams. We find that for short interconnect distances, the maximum channel density is limited by the speed of the relay lenses, but as the interconnect distance increases, geometric aberrations become the limiting factor. We also determine the interconnect distance below which a micro-channel relay is more suitable and the distance above which a single-lens solution is adequate.