High Density Optoelectronic Interconnections Using Optically Powered OEICs

A common problem confronting the realitetion of optoelectronlc interconnection processors over the fast several years is the ability to both perform logical operations (i.e. computions) and rapidly and dynamically r"fiiure the processor in a compact and simple manner. For example, while several 'optical computers' have been demonstrated over the last several years, they have suffered from a lack of reconfigurabitity and speed, thus limiting their ability to solve a wide range of computational problems. On the other hand, dynamic interconnections which have been proposed generally lack computational power. In recent work in our Iahratoty, WQ demonstfated 8 fully integrated, optically powered, optodoctronic 'smart pixel'[l]. This circuit has the ability to op~rat0 variously 8s an optoelectronic amplifier, bistable switch, inverter and latch. Due to the use of optical powering of the individual pixels, circuit layout ccmpbx\ty and rsactive cross-taik between pixels is greatly reduced, thereby enhancing overall system performance (21. By making minor variations of that first circuit, we can employ it In a novel, and very simple optoelectronic processor which has the ability to both perform logic and dynamically route Iarg 20 mays of data. tn this talk, WSI bixuss boll\ devices a d architectures employing 2D arrays of smart pixels whlch can solve a wide range of computational and interconnection problems at very high rates.