Multichannel signal processing using acoustooptic techniques

The feasibility of acoustooptically processing several different signals simultaneously has been demonstrated using two distinct multiplexing techniques. A four-channel acoustooptical system using frequency multiplexing was successfully used for correlating signals;each channel had a 45-MHz bandwidth and about 45-dB interchannel isolation. A second technique for multiplexing, which uses the angular orientation of acoustic waveforms, was also demonstrated; a minimum of 20-dB channel isolation was measured, and parameters that may limit the number of channels and the channel isolation were identified and measured. Both multiplexing techniques can be used in a memory device for increased data-handling capability.