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Field-programmable smart-pixel arrays: design, VLSI implementation, and applications
S S Sherif1, S K Griebel, A Au
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 425, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA. sherif@colorado.edu
Applied Optics
|February 29, 2008
Summary
Field-programmable smart-pixel arrays (FP-SPAs) offer dynamic electronic functionality for optical applications. This research details the design, implementation, and successful testing of a novel FP-SPA, demonstrating its potential in optical switching and backplane systems.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Integrated Circuits
- Computer Engineering
Background:
- Smart-pixel arrays integrate optical I/O with electronic processing.
- Field-programmable smart-pixel arrays (FP-SPAs) allow dynamic reconfiguration of electronic functionality.
- FP-SPAs have potential applications in optical switching, signal processing, and image processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the design, VLSI implementation, and applications of a first-generation FP-SPA.
- To demonstrate the device's functionality through simulations and experimental results.
- To highlight the potential of FP-SPAs to reduce the need for custom optoelectronic device fabrication.
Main Methods:
- VLSI implementation using 0.8-microm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor-self-electro-optic effect device technology.
- SPICE simulations and experimental testing of the fabricated FP-SPA.
- Configuration of the FP-SPA as optical binary switches and an optoelectronic transceiver.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication and testing of the first-generation FP-SPA.
- Demonstrated functionality as free-space optical binary switches for multistage networks.
- Validated performance as an optoelectronic transceiver for the hyperplane optical backplane.
Conclusions:
- The developed FP-SPA demonstrates correct electrical and optical functionality.
- FP-SPAs offer a flexible alternative to custom-designed optoelectronic devices.
- This technology has the potential to significantly impact the development of reconfigurable optical systems.
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