Optoelectronic parallel-matching architecture: architecture description, performance estimation, and prototype demonstration

We propose an optoelectronic parallel-matching architecture (PMA) that prov ides powerful processing capabilities in global processing compared with co nventional parallel-computing architectures. The PMA is composed of a globa l processor called a parallel-matching (PM) module and multiple processing elements (PE's). The PM module is implemented by a large-fan-out free-space optical interconnection and a PM smart-pixel array (PM-SPA). In the propos ed architecture, by means of the PM module each PE can monitor the other PE 's by use of several kinds of global data matching as well as interprocesso r communication. Theoretical evaluation of the performance shows that the p roposed PMA provides tremendous improvement in global processing. A prototy pe demonstrator of the PM module is constructed on the basis of state-of-th e-art optoelectronic devices and a diffractive optical element. The prototy pe is assumed for use in a multiple-processor system composed of 4 x 4 PE's that are completely connected through bit-serial optical communication cha nnels. The PM-SPA is emulated by a complex programmable device and a comple mentary metal-oxide semiconductor photodetector array. On the prototype dem onstrator the fundamental operations of the PM module were Verified at 15 M Hz. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 200.4650, 200.2610, 070 .4560, 200.3050.