Specification for a reconfigurable optoelectronic VLSI processor suitable for digital signal processing

Abstract

A concept for a parallel digital signal processor based on opticalinterconnections and optoelectronic VLSI circuits is presented. Itis shown that the proper combination of optical communication, architecture, and algorithms allows a throughput that outperformspurely electronic solutions. The usefulness of low-level algorithmsfrom the add-and-shift class is emphasized. These algorithms leadto fine-grain, massively parallel on-chip processor architectures withhigh demands for optical off-chip interconnections. A comparativeperformance analysis shows the superiority of a bit-serialarchitecture. This architecture is mapped onto an optoelectronicthree-dimensional circuit, and the necessary optical interconnectionscheme is specified.