Digital Optical Computer II (DOC-II): Performance Specifications,

Abstract : Currently OptiComp Corporation is completing construction of the first 32-bit general purpose digital optical computer. This effort is sponsored jointly by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), NASA space station and the Rome Air Development Center (RADC/USAF). OptiComp has contracted Harris Corporation of Mellbourne, FL to build and deliver the 64 channel acousto-optic spatial light modulators, Spectra Diode Laboratories of San Jose, CA to build and deliver the 8 element index guided laser diode bars capable of producing excess of one watt TE00 at 830nm, Optical Research Associates (ORA) in Pasadena, CA to optimize the optical interconnects, and GE of Vaudreuil, Quebec to develop a 128 element high speed APD array. This paper describes how these components are integrated to construct a general purpose 32-bit Digital Optical Computer (DOC II). The architecture allows the emulation of any digital instruction set (SUN RISC was chosen because of its wide utilization)