ACCURACY IN ANALOG OPTICAL PROCESSORS - STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS

A statistical analysis of propagation, modulation and detection of sig nals in a generic optical processor is presented. The effects of diffr action, interchannel cross talk, and background radiation on system op eration are considered. The mean, the mutual coherence function, and t he probability density function of the optical output signal are deriv ed in terms of those of the sources and the modulators in the processo r. We then analyze the photodetection process, taking into acount the effects of nonideal detector characteristics and electronic postproces sing, and the mean and the autocorrelation function of the electrical output signal are obtained. The analytical form of the signal dependen ce of noise at the processor output is thus established. An integral e quation, with a corresponding series solution, and a series expression are also derived for the probability density function of the photodet ector output voltage. Use of these expressions is then demonstrated un der certain simplifying conditions. These results form the foundation for future research on accuracy enhancement in analog optical processo rs.