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。一种能够经济地在小体积中存储tb级信息的技术将是非常有用的，特别是如果数据可以(1)在几微秒内随机访问，(2)永久存储，使存档成为可能。这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目的目标是通过在光学微通道阵列中存储太比特的信息来实现这些好处，而不是在表面上。每个比特都以光谱和空间两种方式进行编码，并且通过用光束扫描阵列的一端来访问阵列。在第一阶段，从理论上分析了写入过程和数据编码方案，设计了用于读写的光学器件，并通过实验证明了噪声水平不显著。拟议的第二阶段研究将展示空间和光谱密度与实现紧凑阵列中太比特存储一致的光纤和微通道的数据容量读写，第三阶段将展示太比特数据存储，并将开发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的开发具有独特的功能，为其提供了巨大的商业潜力。它结合了具有微秒访问时间的大容量太比特存储、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，如医学、科学和军事数据库；(2)娱乐行业海量数字视频信息的记录。

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.