Ring Array Processor Distribution Topology for Optical Processing and Interconnect

In this paper, a study of a ring array processor distribution topology for optical digital processing and interconnect is presented. The work was motivated by the facts that (1) conventional optical imaging elements such as lenses are circularly symmetric about optic axes, and (2) the existing linear/rectangular array distribution topology is sometimes inefficient in terms of optical implementation and synchronization. The proposed new free-space optical ring array topology based processing and interconnect schemes can solve various existing problems in optical processing and interconnects.