Field-programmable smart-pixel arrays: design, VLSI implementation, and applications

A smart-pixel array is a two-dimensional array of optoelectronic devices th at combine optical inputs and outputs with electronic processing circuitry. A field-programmable smart-pixel array (FP-SPA) is a smart-pixel array cap able of having its electronic functionality dynamically programmed in the f ield. Such devices could be used in a diverse range of applications, includ ing optical switching, optical digital signal processing, and optical image processing. We describe the design, VLSI implementation, and applications of a first-generation FP-SPA implemented with the 0.8-mu m complementary me tal-oxide semiconductor-self-electro-optic effect device technology made av ailable through the Lucent Technologies-Advanced Research Projects Agency C ooperative (Lucent/ARPA/ COOP) program. We report SPICE simulations and exp erimental results of two sample applications: In the first application, we configure this FP-SPA as an array of free-space optical binary switches tha t can be used in optical multistage networks. In the second, we configure t he device as an optoelectronic transceiver for a dynamically reconfigurable free-space intelligent optical backplane called the hyperplane. We also de scribe the testing setup and the electrical and the optical tests that demo nstrate the correct functionality of the fabricated device. Such devices ha ve the potential to reduce significantly the need for custom design and fab rication of application-specific optoelectronic devices in the same manner that field-programmable gate arrays have largely eliminated the need for cu stom design and fabrication of application-specific gate arrays, except in the most demanding applications. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.