Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R85624/01
Title:	Programmable Optoelectronic Computing Architecture (POCA)
Principal Investigator:	Snowdon, Dr JF
Other Investigators:	Walker, Professor A
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Professor G Brebner
Project Partners:	BAE Systems Xilinx
Department:	Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Organisation:	Heriot-Watt University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 October 2002	Ends:	31 March 2006	Value (£):	276,960
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Optical Communications Optical Devices & Subsystems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Aerospace, Defence and Marine Communications
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The research will tackle a fundamental mismatch between the world of electronic computing and the world of optical communication, by cent rnng on the use of the emergent optical field-programmable gate array (OFPGA) technology as a bridge. The electronic logic gate features of this technology will harmonise with conventional processors, while the optical array features will harmonise with optical communication interfaces. The feature of the OFPGA can supply a fine-grain parallel computing capability, as well as driving optoelectronic interfaces. The investigation of the architectures will focus on a two-chip flip-chipped implementation. One chip will be concerned with optoelectronic interfacing. The other chip will be a platform FPGA , containing programmable logic, processors) and memory, with internal input/output points. The performance benefits of the overall system will be investigated using advanced simulation techniques, based on realistic device parameters drawn from experiement and pre-product data from industry. Central to the success of this project will be the fact that the two sites each bring particular expertise - in programmable logic array use within system architectures, and in optoelectronics, respectively - to the project, with both parties committed to a holistic integrated system view based upon all of their respective respective expertises. As case studies, the benefits of the new system architecture will be investigated by application to high-speed packet routing and to aeronautical image processing, where there are extreme demonds for fast processing of optical data.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Organisation Website:	http://www.hw.ac.uk