Translucent smart pixel array (TRANSPAR) chips for high throughputnetworks and SIMD signal processing

摘要

We present a novel architecture for an optical network,ntranslucent smart pixel array (TRANSPAR), having smart pixel devicesnwhich effectively function in an optically translucent manner. Thennetwork protocol is similar to carrier-sensenmultiple-access/collision-detection (CSMA/CD) commonly used in Ethernet,nbut adapted to a ring configuration using optical parallel packets innfree space. The TRANSPAR devices also function as a fine-grainnmesh-connected parallel pipeline array for image and video signalnprocessing. We designed, fabricated, and are currently testing thenTRANSPAR smart pixel devices and network node hardware. This papernpresents the network architecture, tradeoffs, and design decisions, thentesting results to date, and ends with considerations on practicalitynand future scalability