Multi-Core Optical Module for ANN Computation
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art optical computational systems, particularly hybrid optical-electronic systems, suffer from inefficiencies due to the high energy consumption associated with inter-conversion of optical signals to electric currents, leading to wasteful energy usage compared to all-optical systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated multi-channel optical module that maps input light signals to output light signals with a controllable amplification factor, utilizing a multi-core fiber or photonic crystal structure to enable complex computations with reduced power consumption and compact design, allowing for efficient optical signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid optical-electronic computation is used to combine advantages of both systems, then computational functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases due to inter-conversion of optical signals to electric currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the optical-to-electrical conversion stage from the computational system. By implementing all-optical computation where optical signals are processed directly by optical components (modulators, switches, logic gates) without conversion to electrical signals, the system removes the energy-consuming inter-conversion process while maintaining computational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electrical processing mechanisms with optical processing mechanisms. Instead of converting optical signals to electrical signals for processing and then back to optical signals, the system uses optical fields directly to control optical signals through optical modulators and optical logic gates, replacing the electrical intermediate stage with a purely optical processing path.
2Speed
If optical computational systems are used to achieve faster computation speed, then processing speed is improved, but system size increases compared to semiconductor-based systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical components into integrated photonic circuits fabricated on semiconductor substrates. By combining waveguides, modulators, switches, and logic gates into a single integrated optical chip using standard photonic fabrication processes, the system achieves compact form factor while maintaining the high-speed optical computation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional bulk optical components to two-dimensional planar photonic circuits. By confining light propagation to planar waveguides and implementing logic operations on a two-dimensional chip surface, the system dramatically reduces the volume required for optical computation while preserving computation speed.
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 integrated optical module significantly reduces energy loss and heat dissipation, enabling faster and more efficient computations comparable to the time of light travel through the module, while being compatible with existing technologies and allowing for compact, modular systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the optical channels is an amplification channel configured to allow amplification of light propagating therein by a controllable amplification factor
Implementation Method 2
The optical channels are optically coupled so that a power of an output light signal emitted from the output port is a function of powers of the at least two input light signals transmitted through the at least two input ports
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated optical module is provided. The optical module comprises multi optically-coupled channels, and enables the use thereof in an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). According to some embodiments the integrated optical module comprises a multi-core optical fiber, wherein the cores are optically coupled.