Optical symbolic logic processor using cascaded LCTVs

Abstract

Basic optical logical array processing has been reported recently. Thus a programmable optical symbolic logic processor can be constructed with three cascaded LCTVs.1 This symbolic logic processor can perform not only sixteen basic logic operations but also two-level sum-of-product logic functions. Based on the shadow-casting method,2 two input patterns and the operation mask are generated by a microcomputer. The combinations of these three patterns provide the basic sixteen logic gates. This symbolic logic processor can also perform any two-level sum-of-product logic function. To perform a logic function, two input patterns are written onto two LCTVs, respectively, in n × n arrays. Each column on LCTV1 represents one logic variable, while each row on LCTV2 represents one logic variable. The operation mask written onto LCTV3 is determined according to the specific logic function. Thus any two-level sum-of-product logic function can be performed in parallel, and it can be changed by switching the operation mask stored in the microcomputer.