Ethernet Interface Optoelectronic Switch Controller

Welcome! The Ethernet Interface Optoelectronic Switch Controller is a design project for EE 552 at the University of Alberta. The information contained at this site is purely experimental and not-for-profit. The designers of the switch controller do not intend for any of the following information to be used for product development.

Jeffery Lo, Electrical Engineering Co-op

Edward Shen, Electrical Engineering Co-op

The telecommunications industry is growing by such mammoth proportions that network capacities are quickly reaching their limits. As such, fibre optic technology has emerged as a solution to the saturation of modern electronic networks. The benefits of optical communication solutions over copper or coaxial data lines include: higher transmission capacities, increased immunity to noise, greater isolation, reduced crosstalk and lower power consumption.

TRLabs in Edmonton, Alberta has taken advantage of these benefits and has implemented them in switching applications. Engineers at TRLabs are currently developing a second-generation prototype for an optoelectronic switch that, as its name implies, combines optical and electronic technologies.

The Ethernet Interface Optoelectronic Switch Controller is simply a device that can be used to control the TRLabs optoelectronic switch prototype.

The final report of the controller design project provides the details that describe its operation and implementation.

Here is the class presenation that was given for the switch controller.

Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the above documents.

Besides the code found in the final report, here you'll find supplemental code.

Demonstraion & Implemenation

If you have any comments or questions, please contact one of the designers.

Jeffery Lo or Edward Shen