MEMS optically reconfigurable gate array

Demand for fast dynamic reconfiguration has increased since dynamic reconfiguration can accelerate the performance of implementation circuits on its programmable gate array. Such dynamic reconfiguration requires two important features: fast reconfiguration and numerous contexts. However, fast reconfigurations and numerous contexts share a trade-off relation on current VLSls. Therefore, optically reconfigurable gate arrays (ORGAs) have been developed to resolve this dilemma. ORGAs can realize a large virtual gate count that is much larger than those of current VLSI chips by exploiting the large storage capacity of a holographic memory. Also, ORGAs can realize fast reconfiguration through use of large bandwidth optical connections between a holographic memory and a programmable gate array VLSI. This paper presents the world's first demonstration of an ORGA with micro electro mechanical system's (MEMS) holographic memory.