Monolithic Optical Processor for Low-Power Computing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional semiconductor-based processor devices face limitations in size, power consumption, and heat management, which restrict their performance in meeting increasing computing demands.
Innovation Solution
An optical processor is developed as a monolithic structure that incorporates photonic devices to perform algorithmic functions on optical signals, enabling it to operate alongside or replace traditional processors like vector processors, digital signal processors, and FPGAs, by converting digital signals to optical signals, processing them, and converting the results back to digital signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional semiconductor-based processor devices are used to meet increasing computing demands, then processing capability is improved, but size, power consumption, and heat generation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional semiconductor-based electronic processing systems with an optical processing system that uses photons instead of electrons. The optical processor utilizes optical modulators, optical switches, and photonic components to perform computational tasks, thereby substituting the electronic domain with the optical domain to reduce power consumption and heat generation while maintaining or improving processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the operating parameter domain from electrical signals to optical signals. By using light intensity, phase, and wavelength as information carriers instead of electrical voltage and current, the system achieves lower power consumption and reduced heat generation while maintaining high processing speeds and computational capability.
2Productivity
If traditional semiconductor-based processor devices are used to meet increasing computing demands, then processing capability is improved, but device size worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional semiconductor-based electronic processing systems with an optical processing system that uses photons instead of electrons. The optical processor utilizes optical modulators, optical switches, and photonic components to perform computational tasks, thereby substituting the electronic domain with the optical domain to reduce power consumption and heat generation while maintaining or improving processing capability.
3Productivity
If traditional semiconductor-based processor devices are used to meet increasing computing demands, then processing capability is improved, but heat generation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional semiconductor-based electronic processing systems with an optical processing system that uses photons instead of electrons. The optical processor utilizes optical modulators, optical switches, and photonic components to perform computational tasks, thereby substituting the electronic domain with the optical domain to reduce power consumption and heat generation while maintaining or improving processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the operating parameter domain from electrical signals to optical signals. By using light intensity, phase, and wavelength as information carriers instead of electrical voltage and current, the system achieves lower power consumption and reduced heat generation while maintaining high processing speeds and computational capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The optical processor enhances computing capabilities by overcoming size, power, and heat constraints, offering efficient performance for tasks such as vector matrix multiplication, FFT, and other algorithmic functions within a single unit structure.
Implementation Method 1
a digital to analog converter is connected to the input register that is configured to convert a digital input signal received by the input register into an analog electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
an optical transmitter is connected to the digital to analog converter that is configured to convert an analog electrical signal from the digital to analog converter into an optical signal
Implementation Method 3
an optical receiver is connected to the algorithmic function circuitry that is configured to convert the optical signal of the result received from the algorithmic function circuitry into an analog electrical signal
Implementation Method 4
an analog to digital converter is connected to the optical receiver that is configured to convert the analog electrical signal received from the optical receiver into a digital output signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical processor that incorporates optical computing in a monolithic, i.e. single unit, structure that can take the place of, or operate as a coprocessor with, traditional processor devices such as vector processors, digital signal processors, RISCs, CISCs, ASICs, FPGAs among others. The optical processor incorporates photonic devices that perform algorithmic functions on optical signals. The optical processor takes one or more incoming digital signals, converts the digital signal into an optical signal, performs the algorithmic function(s) in the optical domain, and then converts the result back into a digital signal, all in a monolithic or single unit structure.