Architectural considerations involved in the design of an optical digital computer

摘要: Communication problems such as interconnection bandwidth, clock skew, and connectivity restrict computational throughput. Bandwidth skew limit the speed add to design complexity. Constrained forces a significant portion of processor be used compensate for limited number interconnections. Philosophically, large innate parallelism, noninterfering propagation optics offer mechanisms overcoming these communication problems. The difficulty in exploiting capabilities has been absence suitable optical logic memory devices. Technologically, bistability other advances electrooptics now possibility cascadable elements with power dissipation comparable electronics. Architecturally, parallel pipelined structure can simplify requirements well exploit optics.