Optical parallel array logic system

A new optical-digital computing system called Optical Parallel Array Logic System (OPALS) is presented. OPALS is a fundamental processor of optical parallel digital computers. OPALS can execute optically various parallel neighborhood operations such as cellular logic as well as parallel logical operations for two-dimensional signals. The system has ability to perform iterative operations. OPALS is systemized, centering on the optical parallel logic method using image coding and optical correlation techniques. The mechanism of the optical parallel logical operations corresponds to that of array logic except for parallelism. This analogy leads to the concept of spatial array logic. The concept of spatial array logic plays an important role in designing the OPALS. A pure optical version of the OPALS is proposed.