A comparison of dissipated power and signal-to-noise ratios in electrical and optical interconnects

A comparison between dissipated power and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR's) in electrical and optical interconnects is performed. It is shown that in the absence of amplification to logic voltage levels the electrical interconne ction requries much lower signal powers, However, if the amplification in t he receiver is included, comparable total power dissipation and SNR's resul t under the constraint of equal output voltage.