Recent work has shown that optical processors still hold promise of continuing to provide the highest data rate capacities. Estimates are that optical processors will continue to be three to four magnitudes greater than comparable digital systems well into the 1990's. The problem with optical processors still remains in the selection and design of appropriate interface (input/output) devices. More fundamentally is the provision of an adequate theoretical method for translating system design parameters from the operator need base to optical device design characteristics or parameters for the optical element design. The problem seems to be one in identification of appropriate trade-offs and parameter identification that have a common meaning for each possible device consideration. Even more important is the implementation of the so-called real-time requirement. This meaning of real-time and its impact on device sensitivity, resolution, and cycle time (and life) are not clearly defined. In this paper attention will be given to defining a basis of comparison of device design and translation of processor system requirements to optical system design requirements. A comparison of various device characteristics will be given.

Date Published: 28 December 1977
PDF: 15 pages
Proc. SPIE 0128, Effective Utilization of Optics in Radar Systems, (28 December 1977); doi: 10.1117/12.955999

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0128:
Effective Utilization of Optics in Radar Systems
Bernard W. Vatz, Editor(s)