Development and Realization of an Optical Content Addressable Parallel Processor for High-Speed Database Processing

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This research is exploring the application of optical systems for high-speed database processing. It is combining a parallel model of computation, associative processing based on the use of content addressable memory, with an inherently parallel technology, optics. The purpose is to integrate into one study the elements of parallel architectures, parallel algorithms, device technology, and laboratory demonstrations which will test and demonstrate the advantages of optics for high-speed database processing. The approach taken on this project provides direct hardware support for database operations. It consists of identifying the basic fundamental operaitons required for data base processing and aprallelizing them as much as possible. This is followed by developing an optical parallel architecture that directly implements the parallelized operations. Parallel algorithms for database processing are then developed that build on these fundamental operations. Consequently, the optical architecture will support database applications in a truly parallel fashion.