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

We present a novel architecture for an optical network, translucent smart pixel array (TRANSPAR), having smart pixel devices which effectively function in an optically translucent manner. The network protocol is similar to carrier-sense multiple-access/collision-detection (CSMA/CD) commonly used in Ethernet, but adapted to a ring configuration using optical parallel packets in free space. The TRANSPAR devices also function as a fine-grain mesh-connected parallel pipeline array for image and video signal processing. We designed, fabricated, and are currently testing the TRANSPAR smart pixel devices and network node hardware. This paper presents the network architecture, tradeoffs, and design decisions, the testing results to date, and ends with considerations on practicality and future scalability.