Optical Dynamic RAM
Abstract
Optical Dynamic RAM (ODRAM) is a memory architecture designed for fast access to large stores of data. In particular, ODRAM would enable microsecond random access to data stores of up to fifty gigabits in a single unit. This is to be compared to the millisecond random access time achievable with existing disk based technology. Relative to ODRAM, the only common technology that is faster is silicon RAM. During Phase 2, we have designed, characterized and demonstrated several of the subsystems and data storage techniques required for the construction of ODRAM. Concurrently with our development efforts, the price of the competition, silicon RAM, has fallen dramatically. In fact, it is now possible to achieve nanosecond random access times to comparably large data stores using silicon RAM at a price equal to our projected ODRAM price. Given the advantage in speed and the current commercial popularity of silicon DRAM, the chances for commercial success with ORAM are vanishingly small.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA374849
Entities
People
- Alan E. Johnson
- Eric S. Maniloff
- Thomas W. Mossberg