Title :
Free-space interconnects for high-performance optoelectronic switching
Author :
Guilfoyle, Peter S. ; Hessenbruch, John M. ; Stone, Richard V.
Author_Institution :
OptiComp Corp., Lake Tahoe, NV, USA
Abstract :
The authors describe the two architectures they have developed that use and demonstrate free-space optical interconnects for digital logic: a high-performance optoelectronic computing module and a second-generation digital optoelectronic computer. The low-power, high-performance optoelectronic computing (HPOC) module was designed for switching and data processing applications. Its architecture uses global, free-space, smart optical interconnects rather than electronic interconnects. The HPOC modules, which incorporate arrays of microlasers, diffractive optical interconnect elements and detectors, are currently undergoing prototype fabrication. By extending the high fan-in and fan-out capabilities of free-space optical interconnects, HPOC modules-when properly configured-offer a significant reduction in power, while maintaining good algorithmic efficiency and high noise margin.
Keywords :
computer architecture; integrated optoelectronics; laser arrays; modules; optical computing; optical interconnections; optical switches; HPOC modules; algorithmic efficiency; computer architectures; data processing applications; detectors; diffractive optical interconnect elements; digital logic; digital optoelectronic computer; fan-in; fan-out; free-space optical interconnects; high-performance optoelectronic switching; microlaser arrays; noise margin; optoelectronic computing module; power reduction; prototype fabrication; Application software; Computer architecture; Data processing; Logic; Optical arrays; Optical computing; Optical diffraction; Optical interconnections; Prototypes; Sensor arrays;
