SBIR Phase II: A New Volumetric Data Storage Method

对改进的数据存储技术的需求不断增加。 一种能够经济地以小容量存储TB级信息的技术将非常有用，特别是如果数据可以（1）在几微秒内随机访问，并且（2）永久存储，从而使归档成为可能。 这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目的目标是通过在光学微通道阵列中而不是在表面上存储太比特的信息来实现这些好处。 各个比特在光谱和空间上都被编码，并且通过用光束扫描一端来访问阵列。 在第一阶段中，理论上分析了写入过程和数据编码方案，设计了阅读和写入的光学系统，并通过实验证明了噪声水平是微不足道的。 拟议的第二阶段研究将展示体积阅读和写入数据的光纤和微通道的空间和频谱密度，这是一致的，实现兆兆位存储在一个紧凑的阵列，第三阶段将展示兆兆位数据存储，并将开发一个制造原型微通道阵列ROM。 基于光学微通道存储的数据存储系统具有独特的特点，具有巨大的商业潜力，它结合了高容量太比特存储与微秒级访问时间，体积存储密度和低成本。 两个主要应用是：（1）维护和使用大型数据库，特别是图像数据库，例如医学、科学和军事数据库;以及（2）为娱乐业大量记录大型数字视频信息。

There is an ever-increasing need for improved data storage techniques. A technology that can store terabytes of information in a small volume economically would be extremely useful, especially if the data could be (1) accessed randomly in several microseconds, and (2) stored permanently, making archiving possible. The goal of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to achieve these benefits by storing terabits of information volumetrically in an optical microchannel array, rather than on a surface. The individual bits are encoded both spectrally and spatially, and the array is accessed by scanning one end with a light beam. In Phase I the writing process and data coding schemes were analyzed theoretically, optics for reading and writing were designed, and an experiment demonstrated that the noise level was insignificant. The proposed Phase II research will demonstrate the volumetric reading and writing of data to fibers and microchannels with a spatial and spectral density that is consistent with achieving terabit storage in a compact array, Phase III will demonstrate terabit data storage and will develop a manufacturing prototype Microchannel Array ROM. The development of a data storage system that is based on optical microchannel storage has unique features that provide it with vast commercial potential, It combines high-capacity terabit storage With microsecond access time, volumetric storage density and low cost. Two major applications are: (1) the maintenance and use of large databases, particularly image databases, such as medical, scientific, and military databases; and (2) mass recording of large digital video information for the entertainment industry.