Optical Content-Addressable Memories for Data/Knowledge Base Processing

Abstract

This project studied the potential of managing a data/knowledge base using an optical content-addressable memory (OCAM) as opposed to an electronic location-addressable memory. In an optical content-addressable memory, inputs are compared with the stored data, and detected matches found in parallel. In a holographic OCAM, the number of reference patterns represents the number of holograms that need to be stored in the system. Using thick holographic recording media, such as photo-refractive lithium niobate, holograms may be multiplexed together in a common volume. This project completed work on applying OCAMs to the operations of addition and multiplication by using residue-coded numbers and other operations such as discrete matched filtering. These operations can be used to perform data searching or truth-table look-up processing.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA241866

Entities

People

  • Thomas K. Gaylord

Organizations

  • Georgia Tech

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • C4I

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Access Time
  • Acoustic Waves
  • Acousto-Optic Modulators
  • Content Addressable Memory
  • Data Storage Systems
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Engineering
  • Holograms
  • Holography
  • Lithium Niobates
  • Materials
  • Photography
  • Piezoceramics
  • Three Dimensional
  • Transducers
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Computer Programming and Software Development.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics