Optical Analog Matrix Processor

摘要

The report describes the design considerations of an optical processing system which can perform matrix transformations of large dimensional vectors at exceedingly wide processing bandwidths. Input vectors of wide bandwidth, up to 10 HMz are recorded on a surface deformable film. A unique optical system utilizes a photographic plate, bearing the matrix information, to permit the matrix transformation to proceed as a set of simultaneous parallel operations. The output vector may be scanned to form a temporal signal or the parallel output may be maintained for further processing. Selected portions of an experimental model were fabricated and tested. The results of this program are given and their influence on the overall system is evaluated. As a result of this program an improved version of the Optical Analog Matrix Processor has evolved. Recommendations are given for means to increase the processing rate, for vectors with several hundred coherent elements, from the general region of 100/sec by several orders of magnitude. (Author)