<title>8 X 8 digital smart pixel array</title>

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present a digital smart pixel array, a new type of smart pixel array, for high speed parallel image processing. We havedeveloped assembly methods for the device and fabricated 8 x 8 and 2 x 2 digital smart pixel arrays. We have also cascadedthe 2 x 2 arrays, and demonstrated the functions ofthe device. Operation ofthe array can be changed by external instructionsand basic operations, including data transmission between nearest neighboring pixels, were implemented. The operatingspeed in the cascaded system was 0.5 ms/frame. Keywords: smart pixel array, optical computing, optical interconnection 1. INTRODUCTION Recently, many types of smart pixel array have been researched and developed. A CMOS-SEED type of smart pixel hasbeen studied by many researchers'. Because the SEED is a light modulator, this type of smart pixel array requires anexternal light source, and this makes the optical systems around it a little complicated. A CMOS-VCSEL type of smartpixel array has attracted the interest of researchers in recent years2, but there have been no reports of it operating. A datasorting system using CMOS-SEED type smart pixel arrays and free space optical interconnection has also reported3. Thefunction of this system is to sort data only and it does not have the ability to change functions according to externalinstructions. This is because the smart pixel arrays in this system consist of special purpose CMOS devices.