We present a novel, to our knowledge, architecture for parallel database processing called the multiwavelength optical content-addressable parallel processor (MW-OCAPP). The MW-OCAPP is designed to provide efficient parallel data retrieval and processing by means of moving the bulk of database operations from electronics to optics. It combines a parallel model of computation with the many-degrees-of-processing freedom that light provides. The MW-OCAPP uses a polarization and wavelength-encoding scheme to achieve a high level of parallelism. Distinctive features of the proposed architecture include (1) the use of a multiwavelength encoding scheme to enhance processing parallelism, (2) multicomparand word-parallel bit-parallel equality and magnitude comparison with an execution time independent of the data size or the word size, (3) the implementation of a suite of 11 database primitives, and (4) multicomparand two-dimensional data processing. The MW-OCAPP architecture realizes 11 relational database primitives: difference, intersection, union, conditional selection, maximum, minimum, join, product, projection, division, and update. Most of these operations execute in constant time, independent of the data size. We outline the architectural concepts and motivation behind the MW-OCAPP's design and describe the architecture required for implementing the equality and intersection-difference processing cores. Additionally, a physical demonstration of the multiwavelength equality operation is presented, and a performance analysis of the proposed system is provided.

We present an optoelectronic module called the equivalency-processing parallel photonic integrated circuit (EP(3)IC) that is created specifically to implement high-speed parallel equivalence searches (i.e., database word searches). The module combines a parallel-computation model with multiwavelength photonic integrated-circuit technology to achieve high-speed data processing. On the basis of simulation and initial analytical computation, a single-step multicomparand word-parallel bit-parallel equality search can attain an aggregate processing speed of 82 Tbit/s. We outline the theoretical design of the monolithic module and the integrated components and compare this with a functionally identical bulk-optics implementation. This integrated-circuit solution provides relatively low-power operation, fast switching speed, a compact system footprint, vibration tolerance, and ease of manufacturing.

We present a word- and bit-parallel magnitude-comparison architecture that permits multiple comparands to be compared with multiple relations in constant time. The proposed magnitude-comparison algorithm uses a novel polarization and wavelength-encoding scheme to achieve a fast, scalable realization. Distinctive features of the proposed architecture include (1) the use of a multiple-wavelength encoding scheme to increase processing parallelism and (2) multiple-comparand word- and bit-parallel comparison with an execution time that is independent of the data or word size.

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An architecture for optical CAM-based parallel database processing is presented. It features compact design and constant-time parallel processing of database operations using wavelength and polarization division multiplexing techniques.