Chip-To-Chip Optical Wireless Link Feasibility Using Optical Phased Arrays on Silicon-On-Insulator

As the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum is getting more and more congested and since there is only a limited bandwidth available in the RF spectrum, optical wireless links are gaining importance for high speed wireless data transfer. Optical links however have some inherent disadvantages: line-of-sight is needed for high speed operation, ambient light interference, eye and skin safety regulations and relatively high optical powers need to be received. On the other hand, optical links have a high security and frequency reuse, do not suffer from electromagnetic interference and have a virtually unlimited bandwidth free from regulations.