Abstract

We have begun one of three proof-of-principle system projects to be demonstrated recently. The design philosophy is to build, with a minimal and reliable subset of the optoelectronic components currently available, a functional stored-program digital computer system. A migration path to gigahertz speeds, with the inclusion of as yet undeveloped all-optical devices, is a central design goal. A result of this effort should be a more complete understanding of the architectural and practical design issues involved in building digital optical processors. These include construction without the benefit of optical asynchronous memory or optical cascadable logic.

© 1988 Optical Society of America