JPH11110994A - Cyclic storage method using optical light guide and its device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store large-capacity data with a high-speed transfer rate by propagating series light signals converted to digital data through a light guide of a cyclic storage device. SOLUTION: A light signal time-sharedly multiplexing means multiplexes the series light signals converted by an electric signal-light signal conversion means and series light signals to be rewritten to the light guide means in the series light signals read out from a light guide means by the time-shared system and writes the series light signals into the light guide means. The series light signals are read out by a light signal time-sharedly multiplexing separation means after being propagated through the light guide. When these signals are to be written to the light guide means again synchronization is made to rewrite the series light signals to the light guide means and based on this synchronization the series light signals are written into the light signal time-sharedly multiplexing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention converts a parallel electric signal into an optical signal, propagates the optical signal through an optical waveguide with almost no attenuation, and converts data of the optical signal for the time required for the propagation. The present invention relates to a circulating storage method using an optical waveguide, which retains a memory by circulating, and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a computer was developed, a storage device utilizing propagation of a sound wave or an electric signal using mercury, a delay line, or the like was mainly used as a main storage device. In recent years, with the development of semiconductor memories, magnetic disks, and the like, these semiconductor memories, magnetic disks, and the like have been used in place of storage devices using mercury, delay lines, and the like.

[0003] Conventional large-capacity storage devices used in such computers are classified into storage devices that do not include a mechanical movable mechanism and storage devices that include a mechanical movable mechanism. As the former, a high-speed one using a semiconductor memory represented by a RAM (Randam Access Memory) disk can be cited. As the latter, a medium-speed or low-speed large-capacity disk such as a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and a magnetic tape can be used.
In addition, there is a device in which a plurality of these storage devices are combined to increase the speed or increase the capacity.

[0004]

In recent years, data including images and / or sounds, data of high-resolution images, and the like have been frequently processed by computers, and real-time data, high-speed data, large-capacity data, and the like have been developed. There is a need to remember accurately.

For example, in the fields of a broadcast non-linear program transmission system for real-time processing of video and audio in a digital system, a CM (commercial) transmission system, and a non-compressed non-linear image editing system, uncompressed NTSC (N
anation Television SystemCommittee) When storing moving images of the standard, for example, input 30 images per second,
One image has 512 × 512 pixels, and each pixel has 2 pixels.
Expressed in 4 bits, the transfer speed is about 24 Mbytes / s.

An uncompressed HDTV (High Definition)
When storing moving images of the Television standard, for example, 30 images are input per second, and 1920 images are input per image.
If each pixel is represented by 24 bits with × 1125 pixels, a transfer speed of about 194 Mbyte / s is obtained.

As is apparent from the above, NTSC
Even for moving image data of the standard, SCSI-II (Small Computer Sy
stemInterface-II) Standard transfer rate 20Mbyte /
s is exceeded. Also, without compressing these images,
When stored in time, the data amount of the image of the NTSC standard is about 8
The data amount is 6 Gbytes, and the data amount of the image of the HDTV standard is about 698 Gbytes, and each of them has a huge data amount.

On the other hand, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), M
Image compression technology represented by PEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) is advancing, but on the other hand, higher-resolution image technology, which is a factor that increases the amount of data by a square, is a telecommunication technology of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Proposed in Council Report Advisory Questions 59 and 85. In this case, the scanning line 2000T
There is a need for V or 4000TV ultra-high definition image technology.

Further, in applications to medical treatment, digital preservation of cultural properties, etc., since the image data itself is measurement data, the above-described lossless compression that does not have a high compression ratio or original image data is required. In order to support an academic research field based on such scientific image data using measurement image data different from entertainment images, a high-speed and large-capacity storage device is indispensable. Also, general images are required to have higher image quality, and with the spread of digital images, the need for high-speed and large-capacity storage devices will only increase in the future.

However, in the case of an apparatus that does not include a mechanical movable mechanism, its structure is as complex as that of the main memory, and it is difficult to practically use a large-capacity apparatus technically or economically. In addition, noise resistance and temperature resistance due to electromagnetic waves and radiation are not good. On the other hand, in the case of an apparatus including a mechanical movable mechanism, it takes time to operate the mechanical movable part, and thus it is difficult to store and reproduce a large amount of data in real time. In addition, the accuracy of the mechanically movable mechanism of the drive of the storage medium, writing to the storage medium, and the read head, that is, mechanical vibration resistance and reliability are deteriorated. In order to solve the inconvenience of the device including these mechanical movable mechanisms, a RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disk) is used.
Although a method called s) is employed, high-speed operation and mechanical reliability do not include a movable mechanism such as a device using a semiconductor memory, but have not yet reached an area.
Therefore, in a device including a mechanical movable mechanism and in a device not including a mechanical movable mechanism, there is a limit in achieving both high speed and large capacity.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a storage device having a high transfer rate and a mechanical movable mechanism, such as a storage device without a mechanical movable mechanism, without causing the above-mentioned disadvantages. Can store large amounts of data,
An object of the present invention is to provide a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide, which can increase the reliability of data.

A second object of the present invention is to further improve the reliability of data by controlling such a circular storage device well.

A third object of the present invention is to further improve the reliability of data by making such data in such a circular storage device hardly damaged during data transmission.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems Claim 1 of the present invention
The described cyclic storage method converts parallel electrical signals representing digital data into optical signals, writes the optical signals to an optical waveguide, propagates the optical signals to the optical waveguide, and transmits the optical signals to the optical waveguide. Read from the optical signal, the optical signal is converted to a parallel electric signal, the parallel electric signal is restored to the data, the parallel electric signal representing the data is again converted to the optical signal and the optical signal is converted to the optical waveguide. By writing again, a cyclic cycle of the data for circulating the data is formed, and by circulating the data in the cyclic cycle, the data is stored in the cyclic cycle of the data. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a parallel electric signal representing digital data is converted into an optical signal, the optical signal is written into an optical waveguide, and the optical signal is written into the optical waveguide. The optical signal is read from the optical waveguide, the optical signal is converted into a parallel electric signal, the parallel electric signal is restored to data, and the parallel electric signal representing the data is converted into a serial optical signal. The data is converted back into a signal and written back into the optical waveguide, thereby forming a data circulation cycle for circulating the data. By circulating the data of the data configured in this way, the data is stored in the data circulation cycle.

When data is stored using only serial optical signals, nonlinear distortion accumulates while propagating through the optical waveguide, and the data cannot be read. Therefore, it is necessary to convert a serial optical signal into a parallel electric signal, restore the data once, and then convert it back to a serial optical signal.

As described above, an optical signal can be propagated at a high transfer rate, an optical signal having a large amount of data can be transmitted, and an optical waveguide in which loss of the optical signal can be reduced is connected in series. By storing the data of the optical signal, it has a high transfer rate like a storage device that does not include a mechanical movable mechanism, and stores a large amount of data as a storage device that includes a mechanical movable mechanism. Data reliability can be improved.

In addition, since the data of the optical signal is stored in the optical waveguide, the structure of the storage device is simplified as compared with a storage device that does not include a mechanical movable mechanism. Improves reliability. Further, such a circulating storage device is excellent in resistance to noise and temperature due to electromagnetic waves and radiation.

Preferably, the data of the optical signal is written by reading out the optical signal from the optical waveguide and then writing the optical signal back into the optical waveguide, as in the circular storage method using the optical waveguide according to claim 2. An optical signal representing the data is circulated in the circulating circuit of the optical signal to be stored in the circulating circuit of the optical signal.

In this case, the optical signal is read out from the optical waveguide and then written back into the optical waveguide, thereby forming an optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the optical signal data. By circulating the optical signal representing the data in the optical signal circulating circuit configured as described above, the data is stored in the optical signal circulating circuit. Thus, the data of the optical signal is circulated, and the data is stored in the optical waveguide.
As described above, by further configuring the circulation of only serial optical signals, the storage density of data is further increased, and therefore, a large amount of data can be easily stored in the cyclic storage device in real time.

More preferably, when the parallel electric signal is converted into an optical signal, the entire time is managed and the synchronization is performed, as in the circular storage method using the optical waveguide according to the third aspect. A first synchronizing signal for synchronization, and, based on the first synchronizing signal, perform synchronization and, when reading out the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide, manage the entire time and perform synchronization. A second synchronization signal for providing
The synchronization is performed based on the synchronization signal.

As described above, by synchronizing the parallel electric signal into the optical signal and synchronizing when reading the optical signal from the optical waveguide, the synchronization of the propagation of the optical signal inside the optical waveguide is achieved. It can be controlled from the outside, can read and write serial optical signals accurately, and has high data reliability.

More preferably, the serial optical signal is written in the middle of the optical waveguide and / or the middle of the optical waveguide, as in the circular storage method using the optical waveguide according to claim 4. And reads the serial optical signal from.

As described above, by writing a serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide and / or reading the serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide, the reading and writing operations of the serial optical signal can be performed more quickly. It can be carried out.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide, wherein a control processing unit to which a parallel electric signal representing digital data is externally written is provided. The written and parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals, each having the same wavelength, and the optical signals are read and converted into parallel electric signals, and the parallel electric signals are converted by the control processing means. Signal reading and writing means to be read, and optical waveguide means for storing the data by propagating a serial optical signal written from the signal reading and writing means, wherein the signal reading and writing means comprises the parallel electric signal. An electric signal-optical signal converting means for converting a signal into a serial electric signal and then converting the signal into a serial optical signal;
The serial optical signal converted by the optical signal converting means and the serial optical signal read out by the signal reading and writing means to be rewritten in the optical waveguide means are multiplexed in a time division manner. An optical signal time-division multiplexing means for writing the serial optical signal into the optical waveguide means; and a means for reading the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide means and writing the serial optical signal into the optical waveguide means again. And if it is to be written again to the optical waveguide means, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means for writing the serial optical signal to the optical signal time division multiplexing means; Of the serial optical signals read from the waveguide means, serial optical signals other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means are read from the optical signal time division demultiplexing means. And an optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means for converting the serial optical signal to a serial electric signal and then to a parallel electric signal, wherein the optical waveguide means is written from the optical signal time division multiplexing means. An optical waveguide for transmitting the serial optical signal and storing data of the serial optical signal, the control processing means, the electric signal-optical signal converting means, the optical signal time division multiplexing means, the optical waveguide, and the optical signal. The time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means and the optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means constitute a data circulation cycle for circulating the data, and the parallel electric signals supplied to the control processing means to be read from the outside. Is read from the outside, the other parallel electric signal is written again to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, the optical signal time-division multiplexing means,
An optical waveguide and an optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit constitute an optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the serial optical signal, and the control processing unit multiplexes the serial optical signal in a time division manner. Synchronization for writing the parallel electric signal into the electric signal-optical signal conversion means is performed, and based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signal is converted into the electric signal-
Writing to the optical signal converting means, the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means identifying whether or not the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide is to be rewritten to the optical waveguide means, If the serial optical signal is to be written to the optical waveguide means, the serial optical signal is synchronized to be written again, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is transmitted to the optical signal time-division multiplexing means. It is characterized by writing.

In this case, parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means.
The parallel electric signals are synchronized for writing parallel electric signals to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means so as to multiplex serial optical signals in a time-division manner. Based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signals are synchronized. The signal is written to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means. It should be noted that this synchronization enables synchronization when the optical signal time division multiplexing means writes a serial optical signal to the optical waveguide.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts a parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal and then converts it into a serial optical signal. Thereafter, the optical signal time-division multiplexing means outputs the electric signal-
The serial optical signal converted by the optical signal converting means and the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide means to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means are multiplexed in a time-division manner, and the serial Is written in the optical waveguide means.

The serial optical signal is read by the optical signal time division demultiplexing means after propagating through the optical waveguide.
Thereafter, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means identifies whether the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means. If the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means, synchronization is obtained to rewrite the serial optical signal into the optical waveguide means, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is converted into an optical signal. Write to the signal time division multiplexing means.

On the other hand, of the serial optical signals read out from the optical waveguide means, those serial optical signals other than those to be written into the optical waveguide means are converted by the optical signal-electrical signal converting means into optical signal time division. The signal is read from the demultiplexing unit, and the serial optical signal is converted into a serial electric signal and then converted into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals thus converted are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted into the parallel electric signals. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the data circulation cycle for circulating data, the data is stored in the data circulation cycle, and the data is also stored in the optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the optical signal data. By circulating the optical signal expressing the, by storing the data in the circulating cycle of the optical signal, a large amount of data can be stored in the circulating storage device,
The data can be read from or written to the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

Further, in the circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to the present invention, two or more control processing means in which parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written,
The parallel electric signals are respectively written from corresponding ones of the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals, and the optical signals are read and converted into parallel electric signals. A parallel electric signal is read by the corresponding control processing means, and the same number of signal reading and writing means as the two or more control processing means and a serial optical signal written from the signal reading and writing means are propagated. An optical waveguide means for storing the data, wherein each of the signal reading and writing means converts the parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal, and then converts the parallel electric signal into a serial optical signal, and converts the serial optical signal. An electrical signal-to-optical signal converting means for writing to the optical waveguide means, and a serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide means for converting to a serial electrical signal and then parallel An optical signal-to-electrical signal converting unit for converting the electric signal into an electric signal, wherein the optical waveguide unit combines the serial optical signals written by the electric signal-to-optical signal converting unit; An optical waveguide that stores the data of the optical signal by propagating the optical signal merged by the optical signal merging means, and an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the optical signal-electrical signal converting means, An optical signal splitter for splitting a serial optical signal propagated through the optical waveguide so as to be read out by the optical signal-electrical signal converter. Electrical signal-optical signal conversion means in which is written
The data is circulated by an optical signal merging unit, an optical waveguide, an optical signal branching unit, and an optical signal-electric signal converting unit that reads an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the electric signal-optical signal converting unit. Wherein each of the serial optical signals converted by the electric signal-to-optical signal converting means has a different wavelength from each other.

In this case, first, parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means. Thereafter, each electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal, then converts it into a serial optical signal, and writes the optical signal into the optical waveguide means.

Thereafter, the serial optical signals are merged by the optical signal merging means of the optical waveguide means, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide. The optical signal propagates through the optical waveguide and is split by the optical signal splitter, and the serial optical signal is read out by the optical signal-electrical signal converter. At this time, the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter reads out an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter. Thereafter, the optical signal-electrical signal conversion means converts the serial optical signal into a serial electric signal and then converts it into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals converted in this way are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted into other electric signals. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the data circulation cycle for circulating data, and storing the data in the data circulation cycle, a large amount of data can be stored in the cyclic storage device. At the same time, the data can be read or written from the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide, comprising: a control processing unit in which parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written; and a corresponding one of the control processing units. The parallel electric signals are respectively written, the parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals, and the optical signals are read and converted into parallel electric signals, and the parallel electric signals are converted into the corresponding control processing means. Signal reading and writing means to be read by means of the above, and an optical waveguide means for storing the data by propagating a serial optical signal written from the signal reading and writing means, wherein the signal reading and writing means comprises An electric signal-optical signal converting means for converting an electric signal into a parallel optical signal and writing the parallel optical signal into the optical waveguide means; Optical signal-electrical signal conversion means for converting parallel optical signals read from the waveguide means into parallel electric signals, wherein the optical waveguide means is written by the electric signal-optical signal conversion means. An optical signal merging unit that merges optical signals, an optical waveguide that propagates an optical signal merged by the optical signal merging unit, and stores data of the optical signal, and splits the optical signal that has propagated through the optical waveguide. Data circulating by the control processing means, the electric signal-optical signal converting means, the optical signal merging means, the optical waveguide, the optical signal dividing means, and the optical signal-electric signal converting means. , And each of the parallel optical signals converted by the electric signal-optical signal conversion means has a different wavelength from each other. It is intended.

In this case, first, parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means. Thereafter, each electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the parallel electric signal into a parallel optical signal, and writes the parallel optical signal into the optical waveguide means.

Thereafter, the parallel optical signals are combined by the optical signal combining means of the optical waveguide means, and the optical signals are written into the optical waveguide. The optical signal is split by the optical signal splitting unit after propagating through the optical waveguide, and the optical signal is read by the optical signal-electrical signal converting unit. Thereafter, the optical signal-electrical signal conversion means converts the optical signal into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals thus converted are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted into the parallel electric signals. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the data circulation cycle for circulating data, and storing the data in the data circulation cycle, a large amount of data can be stored in the cyclic storage device. At the same time, the data can be read or written from the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

In addition, the circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to the present invention has two or more control processing means in which parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written.
The parallel electric signals are respectively written from corresponding ones of the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals, and the optical signals are read and converted into parallel electric signals. A parallel electric signal is read by the corresponding control processing means, and the same number of signal reading and writing means as the two or more control processing means and a serial optical signal written from the signal reading and writing means are propagated. An optical waveguide means for storing the data, wherein each of the signal reading and writing means converts the parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal, and then converts the parallel electric signal into a serial optical signal. A serial optical signal converted by the electric signal-optical signal converting means, and a serial optical signal read by the signal reading and writing means. The signal to be written again to the optical waveguide means of the signals is multiplexed in a time-division manner, and an optical signal time-division multiplexing means for writing the serial optical signal to the optical waveguide means; and Reading the serial optical signal and identifying whether the serial optical signal is to be rewritten to the optical waveguide means,
If the optical waveguide means is to be written again, the serial optical signal is written to the optical signal time-division multiplexing means, and the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means is read from the optical waveguide means. Serial optical signals other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means of the optical signals of
An optical signal-electrical signal converting means for reading out the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, converting the serial optical signal into a serial electric signal, and then converting the serial optical signal into a parallel electric signal, wherein the optical waveguide means comprises: An optical signal merging means for merging the serial optical signals written by the electric signal-optical signal converting means, and an optical signal merged by the optical signal merging means being propagated to store data of the optical signal. An optical waveguide, and a serial light propagating through the optical waveguide such that an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the optical signal-electrical signal converting means is read out by the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means. An optical signal splitting means for splitting a signal, the control processing means, and an electric signal-optical signal conversion means into which the parallel electric signal is written from the control processing means. The data is circulated by an optical signal merging unit, an optical waveguide, an optical signal branching unit, and an optical signal-electric signal converting unit that reads an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the electric signal-optical signal converting unit. The parallel electric signals supplied to the control processing means are read out from the outside of the parallel electric signals supplied to the control processing means. The signal is again written into the optical signal converting means, and corresponds to the serial optical signal converted by the electric signal-optical signal converting means, the optical signal merging means, the optical waveguide, the optical signal branching means, and the electric signal-optical signal converting means. The optical signal-electrical signal converting means for reading out the optical signal constitutes a circulation cycle of the optical signal circulating the data, and the optical signal time division multiplexing means, A wave path, and an optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, which constitutes an optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the serial optical signal, wherein the control processing means multiplexes the serial optical signal in a time-division manner. Synchronization for writing the parallel electric signal into the electric signal-optical signal conversion means is performed. Based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signal is written into the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, and the optical signal time division is performed. The demultiplexing means identifies whether the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide is to be written again to the optical waveguide means, and if it is to be written to the optical waveguide means, The optical signal is synchronized in order to rewrite the optical signal into the optical waveguide means, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is written into the optical signal time division multiplexing means, and the electric signal- Each of serial optical signals converted by the optical signal converting means has a different wavelength from each other.

In this case, first, parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means. The parallel electric signals are synchronized for writing parallel electric signals to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means so as to multiplex serial optical signals in a time-division manner. Based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signals are synchronized. The signal is written to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means. It should be noted that this synchronization enables synchronization when the optical signal time division multiplexing means writes a serial optical signal to the optical waveguide.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the parallel electric signals into serial electric signals and then converts them into serial optical signals. Thereafter, the optical signal time-division multiplexing means outputs the electric signal-
The serial optical signal converted by the optical signal converting means and the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide means to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means are multiplexed in a time-division manner, and the serial Is written in the optical waveguide means.

The serial optical signals are combined by the optical signal merging means of the optical waveguide means, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide. The optical signal propagates through the optical waveguide and is split by the optical signal splitter, and the serial optical signal is read out by the optical signal-electrical signal converter. At this time, the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter reads out an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter.

Thereafter, after propagating through the optical waveguide, the optical signal is read out by the time division demultiplexing means. Thereafter, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means identifies whether the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means.
If the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means, synchronization is obtained to rewrite the serial optical signal into the optical waveguide means, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is converted into an optical signal. Write to the signal time division multiplexing means.

On the other hand, of the serial optical signals read out from the optical waveguide means, serial optical signals other than those to be written again into the optical waveguide means are converted by the optical signal-electrical signal converting means into optical signal time division. The signal is read from the demultiplexing unit, and the serial optical signal is converted into a serial electric signal and then converted into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals converted in this way are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted into other electric signals. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the data circulation cycle for circulating data, the data is stored in the data circulation cycle and the data is stored in the optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the optical signal data. By circulating the optical signal expressing the, by storing the data in the circulating cycle of the optical signal, a large amount of data can be stored in the circulating storage device,
The data can be read from or written to the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

According to the circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to the ninth aspect, a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide is identified, and the serial optical signal is rewritten in the optical waveguide. A first control signal is supplied to the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means to synchronize the optical signal. Based on the first control signal, a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide is output from the optical signal. While being supplied to the division multiplexing means, the serial optical signals other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means among the serial optical signals read from the optical waveguide means are identified, and the serial optical signals are identified. Is converted to a parallel electric signal, a second control signal is supplied to the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and the serial optical signal is converted based on the second control signal. The light No. - to be supplied to the electric signal conversion means.

In this case, the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means includes a first signal for identifying a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide and a synchronization for rewriting the serial optical signal in the optical waveguide. One control signal is supplied, and based on the first control signal, a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide is supplied to the optical signal division multiplexing means. At the same time, the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means identifies the serial optical signals other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means among the serial optical signals read from the optical waveguide means, and identifies the serial optical signals. A second control signal is supplied to synchronize the optical signal into a parallel electric signal, and a serial optical signal is supplied to the optical signal-electric signal conversion means based on the second control signal. Is done.

Therefore, based on the first and second control signals, the serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide and the other serial optical signals can be switched as they are, and as a result, Reading of serial optical signals and time division multiplexing can be performed favorably, and data reliability can be further improved.

According to a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to claim 10, the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, the optical signal time division multiplexing means, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, The optical signal-electric signal conversion means is formed on the same substrate.

By forming these means on the same substrate as described above, synchronization when the electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the electric signal into an optical signal, and hence synchronization for writing the optical signal into the optical waveguide means. In addition, the synchronization for the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means to read out the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide means can be controlled well, and the reliability of data can be further improved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electric signal-to-optical signal conversion means and the optical signal time-division multiplexing means are formed on the same substrate, and the optical signal The time division demultiplexing means and the optical signal-electric signal conversion means are formed on another same substrate.

As described above, the electric signal-optical signal conversion means and the optical signal time division multiplexing means are formed on the same substrate,
By forming the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means and the optical signal-electrical signal converting means on another same substrate, these means can be integrated into an optical signal transmitting function and an optical signal receiving function.

According to a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to a twelfth aspect, the electric signal-to-optical signal conversion means and the optical signal-to-electric signal conversion means are formed on the same substrate.

By forming these means on the same substrate, reading and writing of an optical signal can be controlled well, and data reliability can be further improved.

According to the circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to the thirteenth aspect, the optical signal writing means for writing the serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide, and / or from the middle of the optical waveguide. Optical signal reading means for reading the serial optical signal is further provided.

As described above, the optical signal writing means writes the serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide, and / or the optical signal reading means reads the serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide. Read and / or write operation of the data can be performed more quickly.

According to a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to a fourteenth aspect, an optical amplifier is provided in the optical waveguide at a dispersed or specific position.

By providing the optical amplifying means as described above, the attenuation of the serial optical signal propagating through the optical waveguide can be reduced, the data of the serial optical signal is hardly damaged, and the reliability of the data is further improved. Can be higher.

According to the circulating storage device of the present invention, an optical signal correcting means is provided in the optical waveguide at a specific position or dispersed.

By providing the optical signal correcting means in this manner, a serial optical signal propagating through the optical waveguide can be corrected, the data of the serial optical signal is hardly damaged, and the reliability of the data is further improved. Can be higher. It should be noted that such correction of the serial optical signal mainly corrects nonlinear distortion of the serial optical signal and corrects other distortion such as group delay.

[0065]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In describing a circular storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention, an embodiment of a circular storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention will be described first. In the drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, white arrows indicate transmission of parallel signals, and solid arrows indicate transmission of serial signals.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. The cyclic storage device shown in FIG. 1 includes control processing means, signal reading / writing means, and optical waveguide means. The signal reading and writing means includes an electric signal-optical signal converting means, an optical signal time division multiplexing means, an optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and an optical signal-electric signal converting means. The optical waveguide means has an optical waveguide.

The control processing means, the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, the optical signal time division multiplexing means, the optical waveguide, the optical signal time division demultiplexing means, and the optical signal-electric signal conversion means
An optical signal time division multiplexing means, an optical waveguide, and an optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means constitute an optical signal circulation cycle for circulating serial optical signals, while forming a data circulation cycle for circulating data.

Digital data to be stored (input data)
Are supplied to signal reading and writing means via the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals each having the same wavelength, and the serial optical signals While writing to the optical waveguide means, reading the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide means,
The read optical signal is converted into a parallel electric signal.

The optical waveguide means stores data by propagating the serial optical signal written by the signal reading and writing means.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the parallel electric signals into serial electric signals and then converts them into serial optical signals. This conversion operation is synchronized for time-divisionally writing the optical signal into the optical waveguide. Thus, at a predetermined timing, the optical signal converted by the optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means is written to the optical signal cycling circuit via the optical signal time division multiplexing means.

The optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means reads a serial optical signal from the optical waveguide, identifies whether or not the serial optical signal is to be written into the optical waveguide means again. If it is to be written, synchronization is taken to rewrite the serial optical signal to the optical waveguide means, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is written to the optical signal time division multiplexing means.

The optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means converts the serial optical signals read out of the optical waveguide means other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means into optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means. And outputs the serial optical signal as a parallel electric signal representing data.
The parallel electric signals to be read out are output as output data through the control processing means. Other parallel electric signals are written again to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means via the control processing means.

The operation of the first embodiment of the circular storage device will be described. Parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means. The parallel electric signals are synchronized for writing parallel electric signals to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means so as to multiplex serial optical signals in a time-division manner. Based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signals are synchronized. The signal is written to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means. It should be noted that this synchronization enables synchronization when the optical signal time division multiplexing means writes a serial optical signal to the optical waveguide.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts a parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal and then converts it into a serial optical signal. Thereafter, the optical signal time-division multiplexing means outputs the electric signal-
The serial optical signal converted by the optical signal converting means and the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide means to be rewritten in the optical waveguide means are multiplexed in a time division manner, and the serial Is written in the optical waveguide means.

The serial optical signal is read by the optical signal time division demultiplexing means after propagating through the optical waveguide.
Thereafter, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means identifies whether the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means. If the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means, synchronization is obtained to rewrite the serial optical signal into the optical waveguide means, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is converted into an optical signal. Write to the signal time division multiplexing means.

On the other hand, of the serial optical signals read from the optical waveguide means, those other than those to be written again into the optical waveguide means, the optical signal-to-electrical signal conversion means converts the optical signal into time-division signals. The signal is read from the demultiplexing unit, and the serial optical signal is converted into a serial electric signal and then converted into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals thus converted are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted into the parallel electric signals. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the data circulation cycle for circulating data, the data is stored in the data circulation cycle, and the data is also stored in the optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the optical signal data. By circulating the optical signal expressing the, by storing the data in the circulating cycle of the optical signal, a large amount of data can be stored in the circulating storage device,
The data can be read from or written to the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. The circular storage device shown in FIG. 2 includes two or more control processing units, the same number of signal reading and writing units as the control processing units, and optical waveguide units. The signal reading and writing means has an electric signal-optical signal conversion means and an optical signal-electric signal conversion means. The optical waveguide means has an optical signal merging means, an optical waveguide, and an optical signal splitting means.

Control processing means, electric signal-optical signal conversion means in which parallel electric signals are written from the control processing means,
Data is circulated by an optical signal merging unit, an optical waveguide, an optical signal branching unit, and an optical signal-electric signal conversion unit that reads an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the electric signal-optical signal conversion unit. Construct a circular cycle of data. Each of the serial optical signals converted by the electric signal-optical signal conversion means has a different wavelength from each other.

Digital data to be stored (input data)
Are supplied to signal reading and writing means via the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide means. At the same time, a serial optical signal is read from the optical waveguide means, and the read optical signal is converted into a parallel electric signal.

The optical waveguide means stores data by propagating the serial optical signal written by the signal reading and writing means.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal, converts it into a serial optical signal, and writes the serial optical signal into the optical waveguide means.

The optical signal merging means merges the optical signals when the optical signal is simultaneously written into the optical waveguide means by the electric signal-optical signal converting means. In addition, the optical signal branching means includes:
The optical signals thus combined are split.

Each of the optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means reads out the serial optical signal converted by the corresponding optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means, converts it into a serial electric signal, and then expresses the data in parallel. As an electrical signal.
The parallel electric signals to be read out are output as output data through the control processing means. Other parallel electric signals are written again to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means via the control processing means.

The operation of the second embodiment of the circular storage device will be described. First, parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means. Thereafter, each electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal, then converts it into a serial optical signal, and writes the optical signal into the optical waveguide means.

Thereafter, the serial optical signals are combined by the optical signal combining means of the optical waveguide means, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide. The optical signal propagates through the optical waveguide and is split by the optical signal splitter, and the serial optical signal is read out by the optical signal-electrical signal converter. At this time, the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter reads out an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter. Thereafter, the optical signal-electrical signal conversion means converts the serial optical signal into a serial electric signal and then converts it into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals converted in this way are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted into the parallel electric signals. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the cycle of data circulation, and storing the data in the cycle of data circulation, a large amount of data can be stored in the cycle storage device. At the same time, the data can be read or written from the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. The circulating storage device shown in FIG. 3 includes control processing means, signal reading and writing means, and optical waveguide means. The signal reading and writing means has an electric signal-optical signal conversion means and an optical signal-electric signal conversion means. The optical waveguide means has an optical signal merging means, an optical waveguide, and an optical signal splitting means.

The control processing means, the electric signal-to-optical signal converting means, the optical signal merging means, the optical waveguide, the optical signal branching means, and the optical signal-to-electric signal converting means constitute a data circulation circuit for circulating data. Each of the parallel optical signals converted by the electric signal-optical signal conversion means has a different wavelength from each other.

Digital data to be stored (input data)
Are supplied to signal reading and writing means via the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals are converted into parallel optical signals, and the optical signals are written into the optical waveguide means. The optical signal is read from the optical waveguide means, and the read optical signal is converted into a parallel electric signal.

The optical waveguide means stores data by propagating the optical signal written by the signal reading and writing means.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts parallel electric signals into parallel electric signals, and writes the optical signals into the optical waveguide means.

The optical signal merging means merges parallel optical signals. Further, the optical signal splitting means splits the optical signals thus combined.

The optical signal-to-electrical signal conversion means reads the divided optical signal, converts it as a parallel electric signal representing data, and outputs it. The parallel electric signals to be read out are output as output data through the control processing means. Other parallel electric signals are written again to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means via the control processing means.

The operation of the third embodiment of the circular storage device will be described. First, parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means. Thereafter, each electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts the parallel electric signal into a parallel optical signal, and writes the parallel optical signal into the optical waveguide means.

Thereafter, the parallel optical signals are combined by the optical signal combining means of the optical waveguide means, and the optical signals are written into the optical waveguide. The optical signal is split by the optical signal splitting unit after propagating through the optical waveguide, and the optical signal is read by the optical signal-electrical signal converting unit. Thereafter, the optical signal-electrical signal conversion means converts the optical signal into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals converted in this way are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the data circulation cycle for circulating data, and storing the data in the data circulation cycle, a large amount of data can be stored in the cyclic storage device. At the same time, the data can be read or written from the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. The circular storage device shown in FIG. 4 includes two or more control processing units, the same number of signal reading and writing units as the control processing units, and optical waveguide units. Each of the signal reading and writing means is an electric signal-optical signal conversion means, an optical signal time division multiplexing means,
It has an optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means and an optical signal-electric signal conversion means. The optical waveguide means has an optical signal merging means, an optical waveguide, and an optical signal splitting means.

The control processing means, the electric signal-optical signal converting means, the optical signal time division multiplexing means, the optical waveguide, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and the optical signal-electric signal converting means
An optical signal time division multiplexing means, an optical waveguide, and an optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means constitute an optical signal circulation cycle for circulating serial optical signals, while forming a data circulation cycle for circulating data. Each of the serial optical signals converted by the electric signal-optical signal conversion means has a different wavelength from each other.

Digital data to be stored (input data)
Are supplied to signal reading and writing means via the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals each having the same wavelength, and the serial optical signals While writing to the optical waveguide means, reading the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide means,
The read optical signal is converted into a parallel electric signal.

The optical waveguide means stores data by propagating the serial optical signal written by the signal reading and writing means.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts a parallel electric signal to a serial electric signal and then to a serial optical signal. This conversion operation is synchronized for time-divisionally writing the optical signal into the optical waveguide. Thus, at a predetermined timing, the optical signal converted by the optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means is written to the optical signal cycling circuit via the optical signal time division multiplexing means.

The optical signal merging means merges the optical signals when the electric signal is simultaneously written into the optical waveguide means by the electric signal-optical signal converting means. In addition, the optical signal branching means includes:
The optical signals thus combined are split.

The optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means reads the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide, identifies whether or not the serial optical signal is to be written to the optical waveguide means again, and returns to the optical waveguide means. If it is to be written, synchronization is taken to rewrite the serial optical signal to the optical waveguide means, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is written to the optical signal time division multiplexing means.

The optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means converts the serial optical signals read out of the optical waveguide means other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means into optical signal time-division demultiplexing means. And outputs the serial optical signal as a parallel electric signal representing data.
The parallel electric signals to be read out are output as output data through the control processing means. Other parallel electric signals are written again to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means via the control processing means.

The operation of the fourth embodiment of the circular storage device will be described. First, parallel electric signals representing digital data are externally written to the control processing means. The parallel electric signals are synchronized for writing parallel electric signals to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means so as to multiplex serial optical signals in a time-division manner. Based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signals are synchronized. The signal is written to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means. In addition,
By this synchronization, synchronization is achieved when the optical signal time division multiplexing means writes a serial optical signal to the optical waveguide.

The electric signal-optical signal conversion means converts a parallel electric signal to a serial electric signal and then to a serial optical signal. Thereafter, the optical signal time-division multiplexing means outputs the electric signal-
The serial optical signal converted by the optical signal converting means and the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide means to be rewritten in the optical waveguide means are multiplexed in a time division manner, and the serial Is written in the optical waveguide means.

The serial optical signals are combined by the optical signal combining means of the optical waveguide means, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide. The optical signal propagates through the optical waveguide and is split by the optical signal splitter, and the serial optical signal is read out by the optical signal-electrical signal converter. At this time, the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter reads out an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter.

Then, after propagating through the optical waveguide, the optical signal is read out by the time division demultiplexing means. Thereafter, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means identifies whether the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means.
If the serial optical signal is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means, synchronization is obtained to rewrite the serial optical signal into the optical waveguide means, and based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is converted into an optical signal. Write to the signal time division multiplexing means.

On the other hand, of the serial optical signals read out from the optical waveguide means, those other than those to be written into the optical waveguide means are converted by the optical signal-electrical signal conversion means into optical signal time division. The signal is read from the demultiplexing unit, and the serial optical signal is converted into a serial electric signal and then converted into a parallel electric signal.

The parallel electric signals thus converted are supplied to the control processing means, and the parallel electric signals to be read out of the parallel electric signals are read out from the outside, and the other parallel electric signals are converted. The electric signal-optical signal conversion means is written again.

As described above, by circulating data in the data circulation cycle for circulating data, the data is stored in the data circulation cycle, and the data is stored in the optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the optical signal data. By circulating the optical signal expressing the, by storing the data in the circulating cycle of the optical signal, a large amount of data can be stored in the circulating storage device,
The data can be read from or written to the circular storage device at a high transfer rate.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. In the cyclic storage device shown in FIG. 5, the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means includes a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide and a synchronization for rewriting the serial optical signal in the optical waveguide. Then, a first control signal is supplied, and based on the first control signal, a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide is supplied to the optical signal division multiplexing means. At the same time, the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means identifies the serial optical signals other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means among the serial optical signals read from the optical waveguide means, and identifies the serial optical signals. A second control signal is supplied to synchronize the optical signal into a parallel electric signal, and a serial optical signal is supplied to the optical signal-electric signal conversion means based on the second control signal. Is done.

Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the circulating storage device, based on the first and second control signals, the serial optical signal to be written into the optical waveguide again and the other serial optical signals are converted into optical signals. In the state of, as a result,
Reading of serial optical signals and time division multiplexing can be performed favorably, and data reliability can be further improved.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. In the circular storage device shown in FIG. 6, the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, the optical signal time division multiplexing means, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and the optical signal-electric signal conversion means are provided on the same substrate. Form.

At this time, the optical signal time-division multiplexing means is provided with a terminal for extracting the optical signal which has not been separated by this, and the optical signal time-division means is provided with an optical signal input terminal to be multiplexed. These terminals can be connected outside the substrate. FIG. 6 shows an example in which these terminals are connected outside the substrate.

By forming these means on the same substrate as described above, synchronization when the electric signal-to-optical signal conversion means converts an electric signal into an optical signal, and hence synchronization for writing an optical signal to the optical waveguide means. And synchronization for the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means to read the optical signal from the optical waveguide,
Good control can be performed, and data reliability can be further increased.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to the present invention. In the circulating storage device shown in FIG. 7, the electric signal-optical signal conversion means and the optical signal time division multiplexing means are formed on a substrate A, and the optical signal time division demultiplexing means and the optical signal-electric signal conversion means are mounted on a substrate B
On top of. FIG. 7 also shows an example in which the terminals are provided outside.

As described above, the electric signal-to-optical signal converting means and the optical signal time-division multiplexing means are formed on the same substrate A, and the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means and the optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means are formed on another identical substrate B. Therefore, these means can be integrated into an optical signal transmitting function and an optical signal receiving function.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment of a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. In the circulating storage device shown in FIG. 8, the electrical signal-to-optical signal converter and the optical signal-to-electrical signal converter are formed on the same substrate.

By forming these means on the same substrate, reading and writing of an optical signal can be controlled well, and data reliability can be further improved.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a ninth embodiment of a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. The circulating storage device shown in FIG. 9 includes optical signal writing means for writing a serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide, and optical signal reading means for reading a serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide.

As described above, the optical signal writing means writes the serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide, or the optical signal reading means reads the serial optical signal from the middle of the optical waveguide, thereby reading and writing the serial optical signal. The write operation can be performed more quickly.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a tenth embodiment of a circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention. FIG.
In the circulating storage device shown in (1), optical amplifiers E and F are provided in the optical waveguide composed of the optical waveguides C and D in a dispersed or specific position.

By providing the optical amplifying means in this manner, the attenuation of the serial optical signal propagating in the optical waveguide can be reduced, the data of the serial optical signal is hardly damaged, and the reliability of the data is further improved. Can be higher.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an eleventh embodiment of the circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to the present invention. FIG.
In the circulating storage device shown in (1), the optical signal compensating means G and H are dispersed in the optical waveguide composed of the optical waveguides C and D or at specific positions.
Is provided.

By providing the optical signal correcting means as described above, a serial optical signal propagating through the optical waveguide can be corrected, the data of the serial optical signal is hardly damaged, and the reliability of the data is further improved. Can be higher. Note that such correction of the serial optical signal mainly corrects nonlinear distortion of the serial optical signal, and also corrects other distortions such as group delay.

Next, an embodiment of a circular storage device using an optical waveguide according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Also in this case, in the drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and white arrows indicate transmission of parallel signals,
Solid arrows represent transmission of serial signals.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a circular storage system having a first embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention. This circular storage system includes a system management device 1, an internal connection line 2, and two circular storage devices 3a.
And 3b. The system management device 1 controls storage of an electric signal representing digital data in the system in response to an external command or automatically. Internal connection line 2
Transmits an electric signal from the system management device 1. Each of the two circulating storage devices 3a and 3b stores data by converting the data into serial optical signals and circulating the serial optical signals along a cyclic circuit described later. These circulating storage devices 3a and 3b are arranged in parallel with the internal connection line 2.

The system management device 1 includes a system management unit 5
, An input / output interface unit 6, a working buffer memory unit 7, and an error correction code unit 8. The system management unit 5 inputs and outputs control data via the external connection line 4. Note that the system management unit 5 is configured by a programmable computer. The input / output interface unit 6 inputs and outputs parallel electrical signal data via the external coupling line 4.
The working buffer memory unit 7 temporarily holds data input to the input / output interface unit 6. The error correction code unit 8 adds an error correction code to the data held in the working buffer memory unit 7 as needed.

The circulating storage devices 3a and 3b are provided with regenerated circulating storage units 9a and 9b, and optical waveguide units 10a and 10b as optical waveguide means, respectively. Parallel electric signals are input / output to / from the regenerating / circulating storage units 9a and 9b via the internal coupling line 2, respectively. Optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b
Respectively propagate the serial optical signals written by the regenerative circulation storage units 9a and 9b.

The regenerating / circulating storage units 9a and 9b are respectively
Optical signal circulating unit 11 as optical signal reading and writing means
a and 11b, and a regeneration circulating unit 12 as a control processing means
a and 12b and the reproduction / circulation synchronization control units 13a and 13b
And The optical signal circulating units 11a and 11b respectively write serial optical signals into the optical waveguide units 10a and 10b and read serial optical signals from the optical waveguide units 10a and 10b. The reproduction circulating units 12a and 12b respectively write parallel electric signals into the optical signal circulating units 11a and 11b, and write the optical signal circulating units 11a and 11b.
Read the parallel electric signals from b. The recirculation synchronization controllers 13a and 13b synchronize for writing and reading of parallel electric signals and synchronize for writing and reading of serial optical signals, respectively. In addition, parallel electric signals are input to the recirculation synchronization control units 13a and 13b via the external coupling line 2, respectively, and the parallel electric signals are input to the recirculation synchronization control units 13a and 13b, respectively. The signals are input to the recirculating units 12a and 12b, respectively. The parallel electric signals output from the regenerating / circulating units 12a and 12b are output to the outside of the circulating storage devices 3a and 3b via the regenerating / circulating synchronization control units 13a and 13b, respectively. Note that each of the reproduction / circulation synchronization control units 13a and 13b is constituted by a programmable computer.

The optical signal circulating units 11a and 11b include optical signal writing units 14a and 14b as electric signal-optical signal conversion means, optical signal time division multiplexing units 15a and 15b as optical signal time division multiplexing means, respectively. It comprises optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing sections 16a and 16b as optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and optical signal reading sections 17a and 17b as optical signal / electric signal conversion means.

The optical signal writing units 14a and 14b respectively convert the parallel electric signals written by the reproduction circulating units 12a and 12b into serial electric signals, and then convert them into serial optical signals.

The serial optical signals written by the optical signal writing units 14a and 14b and the serial optical signals written by the optical signal time division demultiplexing units 16a and 16b are respectively written in the optical signal time division multiplexing units 15a and 15b. The signals are time-division multiplexed, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b.

Optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing sections 16a and 16b
Reads out serial optical signals transmitted through the optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b, respectively. Thereafter, the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing units 16a and 16b respectively write those of the serial optical signals to be written into the optical waveguide units 10a and 10b into the optical signal time-division multiplexing units 15a and 15b, respectively. On the other hand, of the serial optical signals, those to be converted into parallel optical signals are read by the optical signal reading units 17a and 17b, respectively.

The optical signal reading units 17a and 17b convert the serial optical signals read from the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing units 16a and 16b into serial electric signals and then into parallel electric signals. The parallel electric signals are read by the regenerating and circulating units 12a and 12b, respectively.

In this embodiment, the electric signal readout units 14a and 14b, the optical signal time division multiplex units 15a and 15b, and the optical signal time division multiplex / demultiplex units 16a and 16b
And the optical signal reading units 17a and 17b are formed on the same substrate or a plurality of substrates, respectively. Optical waveguides 18a and 18b for optically coupling the optical signal time-division multiplexing units 15a and 15b and the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing units 16a and 16b are formed on the substrate. Thereby, the optical circulation cycle of the serial optical signal is changed to the optical signal time division multiplexing unit 15a.
15b, optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b, optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing sections 16a and 16b, and optical waveguide 18a
And 18b respectively.

The recirculation units 12a and 12b are respectively
Storage buffer memory units 19a and 19b, data identification units 20a and 20b, and error correction encoding units 21a and 21b
b, writing units 22a and 22b, and reading units 23a and 23b.

The storage buffer memory sections 19a and 19b temporarily hold the parallel electric signals input from the reproduction / circulation synchronization control sections 13a and 13b, respectively.

The data identification units 20a and 20b have tables for data stored in the circular storage devices 3a and 3b and addresses (time slots) of the data, respectively. Also, the data identification units 20a and 20a
0b are the reproduction / circulation synchronization control units 13a and 13b, respectively.
When a parallel electric signal is input from the
When writing parallel electric signals to 4a and 14b, reading serial optical signals from optical signal time division demultiplexing units 16a and 16b, reading parallel electric signals from optical signal reading units 17a and 17b, and reproducing Synchronization control unit 13
When outputting electric signals in parallel to a and 13b, the data of each signal is identified.

The error correction coding units 21a and 21b are provided, if necessary, for the reproduction / circulation synchronization control units 13a and 13b, respectively.
b, an error correction code is added to the data that is input from the parallel electric signal and stored in the storage buffer memory units 19a and 19b.

The write units 22a and 22b write parallel electric signals to the optical signal write units 14a and 14b, respectively. The reading units 23a and 23b read parallel electric signals from the optical signal reading units 17a and 17b, respectively.

The optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b are respectively
Two optical waveguides 24a, 25a and 24b, 25b;
It comprises two optical amplifiers 26a, 27a and 26b, 27b as optical amplifiers and two optical signal correctors 28a, 29a, 28b, 29b as optical signal correctors.

The write units 22a and 22b write parallel electric signals to the optical signal write units 14a and 14b, respectively. The reading units 23a and 23b read parallel electric signals from the optical signal reading units 17a and 17b, respectively.

The optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b are respectively
Two optical waveguides 24a, 25a and 24b, 25b;
It comprises two optical amplifiers 26a, 27a and 26b, 27b as optical amplifiers, and two optical signal correctors 28a, 28b as optical signal correctors.

In the present embodiment, two optical waveguides 24
a, 25a and 24b, 25b are each formed of a single wavelength single waveguide optical fiber. Two optical amplifiers 26
a, 27a and 26b, 27b are each formed using, for example, an optical fiber amplifier. The two optical signal correction units 28a, 29a and 28b, 29b mainly correct nonlinear distortion of serial optical signals, and also correct group delay and the like.
These optical signal correction units 28a, 29a and 28b, 29b
Are formed using a dispersion optical fiber, a high dispersion optical fiber, or the like. The distance from the serial optical signal input side of the optical waveguides 24a and 24b to the optical signal correction units 29a and 29b is, for example, about 10,000 km.

The input side and the output side of the serial optical signal of the optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b are arranged close to each other so that the synchronization for writing the serial optical signal and the synchronization for reading the serial optical signal can be accurately performed. Have been. By arranging the devices in such close proximity to each other, physical protection of the optical waveguide is not required, and the coating can be minimized, and such a long-distance optical fiber transmission line can be stored compactly. can do.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the circular storage device 3a of FIG. 12 in detail. In FIG. 13, the optical signal writing unit 1
4a has a parallel-serial encoding element 30 and an electro-optical conversion element 31. The parallel-serial encoding element 30 converts the parallel electric signal written by the writing unit 22a into a serial electric signal. The electric-optical signal conversion element 31
The serial electric signal converted by the parallel-serial encoding element 30 is converted into a serial optical signal. The electric-optical signal conversion element 31 is, for example, a laser diode.

The optical signal time division multiplexing section 15a has an optical OR gate 32. A serial optical signal converted by the electro-optical conversion element 31 is input to one input side of the optical OR gate 32. To the other input side of the optical OR gate 32, a serial optical signal to be rewritten into the optical waveguide unit 10a from the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a is input. The optical OR gate 32 outputs one of a serial optical signal converted by the electro-optical conversion element 31 and a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide unit 10a.

The optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 16a has an optical distribution element 33 and two optical AND gates 34 and 35. The light distribution element 33 divides the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide unit 10a into two serial optical signals, and transfers one of the serial optical signals to one input side of the optical AND gate 34. And the other is input to one input side of the optical AND gate 35.

At the other input side of the optical AND gate 34,
The light circulation control signal a as a first control signal is input. When the optical circulating control signal a is input to the other input side, the optical AND gate 34 transmits a serial optical signal to be rewritten to the optical waveguide unit 10a to the other of the optical OR gate 32 via the optical waveguide 18a. Output to the input side of.

The light circulation control signal a is generated by a laser diode (not shown) driven by an external drive circuit (not shown). In generating the light circulation control signal a, the reproduction circulation synchronization control unit 13a supplies a clock signal to an external driving circuit (not shown) by identifying data by the data identification unit 20a, and
At the timing when a serial optical signal is input to one input side of the ND gate 34, the optical circulating control signal a is output from the optical AND gate 3
4 so as to be inputted to the other input side.

A read control signal b as a second control signal is input to the other input side of the optical AND gate 35. The optical AND gate 34 outputs the read control signal b
Is input to the other input side, the optical signal reading unit 1
The serial optical signal to be read by 7a is output to the optical signal reading unit 17a.

The read control signal b is also generated by another laser diode (not shown) driven by another external drive circuit (not shown), similarly to the light circulation control signal a. In generating the read control signal b, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a supplies a clock signal to another external drive circuit (not shown) by identifying data by the data identification unit 20a, and Gate 3
5 is synchronized such that the read control signal b is input to the other input side of the optical AND gate 35 at the timing when a serial optical signal is input to one input side of the optical AND gate 35.

The optical signal reading section 17a has an optical-electrical signal conversion element 36 and a serial-parallel decoding element 37.
The optical-electrical signal conversion element 36 converts a serial optical signal read from the optical AND gate 35 into a serial electric signal. The photoelectric conversion element 36 is, for example, a photodiode. The serial-parallel decoding element 37 converts the serial electric signal converted by the optical-electric signal conversion element 36 into a parallel electric signal.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. In this case, a process until data is written from the system management device 1 to the cyclic storage device 3a will be described with reference to FIG. 10, and a process after data is written to the cyclic storage device 3a will be described with reference to FIG. In storing data input to the system management device 1 via the external connection line 4 in the circulating storage device 3a via the internal connection line 2, the system management device 1 is first reset to an initial state.

Thereafter, the system management unit 5 executes a nonvolatile read-only storage (ROM), a volatile read / write storage (RA) supported by an uninterruptible power supply or a battery.
M) or by reading an instruction program or data from an external device, setting it in the system management unit 5 and starting it, the system management unit 5 sets the data, the data for control, and the storage visible from the outside. A necessary function is selected from the function as the device and the procedure related to input / output, and the setting for reading is performed.

At this time, the circular storage device 3a is reset to an initial state independently of or in response to a series of operations of the system management device 1. Thereafter, the regenerating / circulating synchronization control unit 13a reads a program or data for controlling the circulating storage device 3a from a non-volatile ROM, a volatile RAM supported by an uninterruptible power supply or a battery, or an external device; By reading out a program or data for writing or reading data and a program or data for cooperating with the system management apparatus 1, setting the program and data in the reproduction cyclic synchronization control unit 13a and activating the same, the reproduction cyclic synchronization control unit 13a Selects and sets necessary data out of data-related settings, control data, and input / output procedures.

After activating the system management unit 5 and the cyclic storage synchronization control unit 13a, an instruction program or data for transmitting data from the system management device 1 to the cyclic storage device 3a is transmitted from the nonvolatile ROM or the like to the system management unit. 5
Is input to the input / output interface unit 6 in the form of parallel electric signals, each of which becomes an optical signal having the same wavelength, from the external coupling line 4, and the parallel electric signals are transmitted to the working buffer. It is temporarily stored in the memory unit 7.

Such parallel electric signals temporarily stored in the working buffer memory section 7 are synchronized by the system management section 5 to write the data into the circulating storage device 3a via the internal connection line 2, and Based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signals are written to the circular storage device 3a.

When writing the parallel electric signals to the circular storage device 3a, an error correction code is generated by the error correction code section 8 as necessary, and the error correction code is added to the parallel electric signal data or corrected. By doing so, the reliability of the data of the parallel electric signals is improved.

The parallel electric signals written in this way are input to the reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a and then temporarily stored in the storage buffer memory unit 12a. The parallel electrical signal data thus held is combined with another one or more pieces of data or further divided into storable data. At this time, by attaching identification data or an address to the data by the data identification unit 20a,
Make the data identifiable and, if necessary,
The error correction code section 21a generates an error correction code and adds it to the data, or corrects and restores the added data to improve the reliability of the data.

Thereafter, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control section 13a synchronizes in order to write the parallel electric signals thus temporarily stored in the storage buffer memory section 19a to the writing section 22a. For this purpose, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13
a supplies a clock signal of, for example, 100 MHz to the reproduction circulating unit 12a. At this time, the data identification unit 20a transmits the time slot to which the serial optical signal of the data stored in the optical waveguide is not yet allocated and the serial optical signal to be allocated to the time slot, that is, the writing unit 22a. A parallel electrical signal to be written is identified, and the serial optical signal is assigned to a time slot to which the serial optical signal has not been assigned.

Here, an example of time slot assignment of serial optical signals will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, all time slots have the same size.
In some cases, the sizes are not all the same. A serial optical signal a _n having the same wavelength as these serial optical signals a _{1 to an -1} (n is an integer) is newly added to the optical waveguide unit 10.
When writing to a, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a (FIGS. 10 and 11) assigns these serial optical signals a _{1 to an -1} to a time slot to which the serial optical signal has not been assigned yet, for example, the time slot 39. synchronized to time slots 3 serial optical signal a _n on the basis of the synchronization
Assign to 9. As described later, a serial optical signal (for example, a ₁ ) is converted into an optical signal-electrical signal converter 17.
a, the serial optical signal a ₁ is extracted from the time slot 40 and
Allows another serial optical signal to be assigned.

After the parallel electric signals are written to the writing section 22a based on the synchronization for writing the parallel electric signals to the writing section 22a, the parallel electric signals are written to the optical signal writing section 14a.

The parallel electric signal is converted into a serial electric signal by the parallel-serial encoding element 30, and thereafter,
The serial electric signal is converted by the electro-optical conversion element 31 into a serial optical signal having an extremely short pulse. The wavelengths of the serial optical signals converted in this way are all the same.

The serial optical signal is input to one input side of the optical OR gate 32 at a timing when the serial optical signal propagating through the optical waveguide 18a is not input to the other input side of the optical OR gate 32. After that, the serial optical signal
The signal is output from the optical OR gate 32 and written into the optical waveguide 24a.

The serial optical signal written in the optical waveguide 24a propagates through the optical waveguide 24a and is amplified by the optical amplifier 26a. The serial optical signal is transmitted to the optical waveguide 24a.
After the optical signal correction unit 28a corrects the optical signal distortion mainly due to the nonlinear distortion caused by the propagation of the optical amplification unit 26a, the optical signal is written into the optical waveguide 25a.

The serial optical signal written in the optical waveguide 25a is amplified by the optical amplifier 27a after propagating through the optical waveguide 25a. The serial optical signal is transmitted through the optical waveguide 25a.
After the optical signal correction unit 29a corrects the optical signal distortion mainly due to the non-linear distortion caused by the propagation of the optical amplification unit 27a, the optical signal is read out by the optical signal time division demultiplexing unit 16a.

The serial optical signal read in this way is
The light is divided into two by the light distribution element 33, and one is
The signal is input to the other input side of the D gate 34, and the other is input to the other input side of the optical AND gate 35.

At this time, the data discriminating unit 20a converts the serial optical signal read out by the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a into a signal to be written again into the optical waveguide unit 10a or a parallel electric signal. Identify what should be done. If it is a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide section 10a, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control section 13a
Input the optical circulation control signal a to one input side of the optical AND gate 34, and synchronize so that a serial optical signal is output from the optical AND gate 34. On the other hand, if it is a serial optical signal to be converted to a parallel electrical signal,
The reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a transmits the read control signal b to the light A
The signal is input to one input side of the ND gate 35 and synchronized so that a serial optical signal is output from the optical AND gate 35. In order to perform such synchronization, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a supplies a clock signal of, for example, 40 GHz to the optical signal circulation unit 11a.

In discriminating whether the serial optical signal read by the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 16a is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide section 10a or is to be converted to a parallel electric signal, The data identification unit 20a monitors the number of times the serial optical signal circulates in the serial optical signal circulating path, and can read out the accumulation of distortion due to the serial optical signal before the number of times exceeds a predetermined number. The serial optical signals are converted to parallel optical signals before they run out, and the data is completed as described below.

A serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide section 10a is input to one input side of the optical OR gate 32 while not being input to the other input side of the optical OR gate 32, and the serial optical signal is input. The signal is output from the optical OR gate 32 and written again to the optical waveguide 24a.

On the other hand, a serial optical signal to be converted into a parallel electric signal is converted into a serial electric signal by an optical-electrical signal conversion element 36 and then converted into a parallel electric signal by a serial-parallel decoding element 37. The signal is converted into a signal, and the parallel electric signal is read by the reading unit 23a.

When erasing the serial optical signal read by the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 16a, the optical signal is converted into a serial electric signal by the optical-electric signal conversion element 36, and then the serial-parallel decoding is performed. After conversion into parallel electric signals by the multiplexing element 37 and reading out the parallel electric signals by the reading unit 23a, the data of the parallel electric signals is erased. At this time, the data of the serial optical signal registered in the data identification unit 20a is deleted.

The parallel electric signals read by the reading section 23a are identified by the data identification section 20a, and if the parallel electric signals need to be restored, they are temporarily stored in the storage buffer memory 19a. Readout unit 23a
After that, the parallel electric signals are written into the writing section 24a again. When there is no need to restore the parallel electric signals, the parallel electric signals are written again to the write units 24a and 24b without temporarily storing them in the storage buffer memory 19a. At this time, the error correction of the parallel electric signals is performed by the error correction coding unit 21a as necessary.

The data identification section 20a identifies whether the restored parallel electric signals should be written again by the writing section 22a or should be read out to the outside.

In the case of parallel optical signals to be written again by the writing section 22a, the parallel optical signals are written into the writing section 22a based on synchronization for writing a serial optical signal to the optical waveguide section 10a. Write to. On the other hand, parallel optical signals read out are read out.

According to this embodiment, an optical signal can be propagated at a high transfer rate, an optical signal having a large amount of data can be transmitted, and a loss of the optical signal can be reduced. Since the optical path is used as a storage medium and a serial optical signal multiplexed by a time division method is written into the optical waveguide, it has a high transfer rate and can store a large amount of data in real time. Reliability can be increased.

Since such an optical waveguide is used as a storage medium, the structure of the storage device is simplified as compared with a storage device not including a mechanical movable mechanism, and the mechanical vibration resistance and reliability of the storage device are improved. Becomes better.

The circulating storage device using such an optical waveguide is excellent in noise resistance and temperature resistance due to electromagnetic waves, radiation, and the like.

Further, based on the light circulation control signal a and the read control signal b, it is possible to switch between a serial optical signal to be written into the optical waveguide again and a serial optical signal to be read out to the outside as they are. Therefore, reading of serial optical signals and time division multiplexing can be performed favorably, and data reliability can be further improved.

Also, the optical signal writing section 14a, the optical signal time division multiplexing section 15a, and the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 16a
And the optical signal readout unit 17a are formed on the same substrate, so that the circulating memory synchronization control unit 13a transmits a synchronous and serial optical signal for writing a serial optical signal to the optical waveguide unit 10a. Synchronization for reading from 10a can be controlled well, and data reliability can be further improved.

Further, the optical amplifiers 26a and 27a reduce the attenuation of the serial optical signal and the optical signal distortion correctors 28a and 29a correct mainly the nonlinear distortion of the serial optical signal. The data is less likely to be damaged, and the reliability of the data can be further increased. Further, since a serial optical signal is propagated from one end to the other end of the optical waveguide section 10a, data storage time can be lengthened.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a circular storage system having a second embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention. Comparing the circular storage devices 3a 'and 3b' of FIG. 15 with the circular storage devices 3a and 3b of FIGS. 11 and 12, the circular storage devices 3a 'and 3b' respectively have two regenerating circular storage units 9a'-1 and 9a. '-2 and 9b'-1, 9b'
-2.

Further, the two reproduction / circulation storage units 9a'-1,
9a'-2 and 9b'-1 and 9b'-2 are optical signal converters 41a and 41b (in FIG. 15, a reproduction circulating storage unit, respectively) instead of the optical signal circulating units 11a and 11b (FIGS. 12 and 13). 9a'-1 and 9b'-1 only). The optical signal conversion units 41a and 41b include optical signal writing units 14a and 14b and optical signal reading units 17a and 17b, respectively.

Also, the optical waveguide units 10a 'and 10b'
Have optical wavelength division multiplexing units 42a and 42b and optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing units 43a and 43b, respectively.

Further, the optical waveguide portions 10a 'and 10b'
Are the two optical waveguides 24a, 24a,
Instead of 25a, 24b and 25b, two optical waveguides 24 formed of multi-wavelength single waveguide optical fibers
a ', 25a' and 24b 'and 25b'.

The optical wavelength division multiplexing units 42a and 42b respectively combine the regenerating and circulating storage units 9a'-1 and 9a'-2 to combine optical signals of a plurality of wavelengths, each having a different wavelength.
And when the serial optical signals from 9b'-1 and 9b'-2 are simultaneously written into the optical waveguide sections 10a and 10b, the serial optical signals are merged, and the serial optical signals thus merged are converted into optical waveguides. It is written to the waveguide sections 10a and 10b. In the present embodiment, each of the optical wavelength division multiplexing units 42a and 42b is a multiplexer.

The optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing units 43a and 43b respectively amplify the serial optical signals joined by the optical wavelength division multiplexing units 42a and 42b by the optical amplifying units 26a and 26b and 27a and 27b, respectively. After the nonlinear distortion is mainly corrected by the distortion correction units 28a, 29a and 29b, 29b, the serial optical signal is split and decomposed into a serial optical signal before merging. In the present embodiment, each of the optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing units 43a and 43b is a duplexer.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Here, only the circular storage device 3a 'will be described. The serial optical signal converted by the electro-optical signal converter 14a of the recirculation storage unit 9a'-1 and the serial optical signal converted by the electro-optical signal converter of the recycle storage unit 9a'-2 are:
The signals are controlled by the regenerating and circulating storage units 9a'-1 and 9a'-2 so as to be optical signals having different wavelengths from each other, and written into the optical waveguide unit 10a.

The serial optical signal converted by the electro-optical signal converter 14a of the reproduction circulation storage section 9a'-1 and the serial light converted by the electro-optical signal conversion section of the reproduction circulation storage section 9a'-2. When a signal is individually written into the optical waveguide section 10a, the serial optical signal is written to the optical waveguide section 10a.
And the corresponding one of the serial optical signals is converted by the optical-electrical signal conversion unit 17a of the reproduction circulation storage unit 9a'-1 and the optical-electrical signal conversion unit of the reproduction circulation storage unit 9a'-2. They are read out individually and converted into parallel electrical signals.

On the other hand, the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a'-1
Of the serial optical signal converted by the electrical-optical signal converter 14a and the serial optical signal converted by the electrical-optical signal converter of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a'-2.
In the case of writing to the optical waveguides 0a at the same time, the serial optical signals are combined by the optical wavelength division multiplexing unit 41a, and the serial optical signals are written to the optical waveguide unit 10a.

After the serial optical signal propagates through the optical waveguide section 10a, the serial optical signal is split by the optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 42a. The signal corresponding to the serial optical signal before the merge, that is, the serial optical signal having the same wavelength as the serial optical signal before the merge, is reproduced and stored in the recycle storage unit 9a'-1. And read out by the optical-electrical signal conversion unit of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a'-2.

In this embodiment, the optical wavelength division multiplexing section 42
a are multiplexed by merging serial optical signals so that each optical signal has a different wavelength from each other, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide section 10a ′, whereby a large number of serial optical signals are obtained. Can be propagated to the optical waveguide, and a large amount of data can be stored in the circulating storage device 3a ′.

FIG. 16 shows a third embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention. This circular storage device 3c is shown in FIG.
5, the optical signal conversion unit 41a ′ includes a plurality of parallel-serial encoding elements 30a ′ and 3b ′.
-1. . . 30-n and a plurality of corresponding electro-optical conversion elements 31-1. . . 31-n and a plurality of optical-electrical signal conversion elements 36-n.
1. . . 36-n and a plurality of serial-parallel decoding elements 37-1. . . 37-n having an optical signal readout unit 17a '.

According to this embodiment, the plurality of electro-optical conversion elements 3
1-1. . . A plurality of serial optical signals, each having a different wavelength, converted by 31-n are combined by the optical wavelength division multiplexing unit 42a, and the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide 24a.

After being propagated through the optical waveguide 25a, the serial optical signal amplified by the optical amplifier 28a and corrected by the optical signal corrector 29a is converted into the optical wavelength division multiplex / demultiplexer 4a.
3a. Each of the optical signals in the series
Plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 36-1. . . 36-n, and converted into a serial electric signal, and a plurality of serial-parallel decoding elements 37-1. . . The signals are converted into parallel electric signals by 37-n.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a circular storage system having a fourth embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention. When comparing the circular storage devices 3a "and 3b" in FIG. 17 with the circular storage devices 3a 'and 3b' in FIG. 15, the two regenerating circular storage units 9a "-of the circular storage devices 3a" and 3b "-
1, 9a "-2 and 9b" -1, 9b "-2 are similar to those of the circulating storage devices 3a and 3b of FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively, instead of the optical signal converters 41a and 41b (FIG. 15). Optical signal circulation units 11a and 11b are provided.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Here, only the cyclic storage device 3a ″ will be described. The parallel electric signals written in the cyclic storage device are stored in the regenerating cyclic synchronization control unit 13a after being input to the regenerating cyclic synchronization control unit 13a. The parallel electrical signal data temporarily stored in the buffer memory unit 19a and processed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Synchronization is performed to write the parallel electric signals temporarily stored in the memory unit 19a to the writing unit 22a.To this end, the reproduction circulation synchronization control unit 13a also supplies a clock signal of, for example, 100 MHz to the reproduction circulation unit 12a. At this time, the data identification unit 20a determines a time slot to which a serial optical signal among data stored in the optical waveguide has not been assigned yet, and A serial optical signal to be assigned to a time slot, that is, a parallel electric signal to be written to the writing unit 22a is identified, and the serial optical signal is assigned to a time slot to which no serial optical signal has been assigned. To do.

Here, the time slot allocation of serial optical signals will be described with reference to FIG. Also in FIG.
Although all the time slots have the same size, the sizes do not always need to be the same. Serial optical signals a _{1 to} a ₁ from the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a′-1 (FIG. 17)
_x-1 (x is an integer) and the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a'-2 (FIG. 1)
7) the serial optical signals b _{1 to} b _{y- 1} (y is an integer) from
As described later, the serial optical signal from the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a "-1 (FIG. 17) and the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a"-
The serial optical signals c _{1 to} c _z-1 (z is an integer) formed by merging the serial optical signals from FIG. In circulating the serial optical signal circulation path (comprised of the optical wavelength division multiplexing section 42a, the optical waveguide section 10a, the optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 43a, the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 16a, and the optical waveguide 18a) These serial optical signals a ₁ to
Any one of a _x−1 , b _{1 to} b _y−1 , c _{1 to} c _z−1 is assigned to one of the time slots of the data 44 stored in the optical waveguide unit 10a ′ (FIG. 17). Have been.

These serial optical signals a₁~ A_x-1Same as
Series optical signal a having wavelength_xIs newly added to the optical waveguide section 1
0a '(therefore, in this case,
Since the wavelength of the optical signal used as a storage medium is different,
The serial optical signal from the circulating storage unit 9a ″ -2 is reproduced and circulated.
Do not join the serial optical signal from the storage unit 9a "-1.
No. ), The reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a (FIG. 17)
These serial optical signals a₁~ A_x-1And c₁~ C_z-1Gama
Unassigned time slots, e.g. time
Synchronize to be assigned to slot 45,
Optical signal a based on synchronization_xTo time slot 45
Assign to Note that the serial optical signal b₁~ B _y-1Is straight
Optical signal a of the column_xAt the time of writing, the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a ″-
2 (FIG. 17),
do not have to.

Further, these serial optical signals c₁~ C_z-1When
Serial optical signal c having the same wavelength _zThe new optical waveguide
When writing to the road 10a '(FIG. 15)
In this case, the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a ″ -1 (FIG. 15)
These serial optical signal and reproduction / circulation storage units 9a ″ -1 (FIG. 1)
The serial optical signals from 5) are merged. ), These
Serial optical signal a₁~ A_x-1, B₁~ B_y-1, C₁~ C
_z-1Time slots that are not assigned
Optical signal c in series with the im slot 46_zIs assigned
You.

As will be described later, a serial optical signal (for example, from the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a ″ -1 (FIG. 17)
When a ₁ ) is read by the optical signal-electrical signal converter 17a (FIG. 17), a serial optical signal a ₁ is extracted from the time slot 47, and the time slot 47
Another serial optical signal can be assigned. The case where the serial optical signal from the regenerating / circulating storage unit 9a ″ -1 (FIG. 17) and the serial optical signal from the regenerating / circulating storage unit 9a ″ -1 (FIG. 17) are combined can be similarly considered. .

Referring again to FIG. 17, based on the synchronization for writing the parallel electric signals to the writing section 22a, the parallel electric signals are written to the writing section 22a, and then the parallel electric signals are converted to the optical signals. Write to the signal writing unit 14a.

The parallel electric signal is converted into a serial electric signal by the parallel-serial encoding element of the optical signal writing section 14a, and then the serial electric signal is converted into an electric-optical conversion signal of the optical signal writing section 14a. The element converts it into a serial optical signal of very short pulses. The wavelengths of the serial optical signals converted in this way are all the same.

As for the serial optical signal, the serial optical signal propagating through the optical waveguide 18a is the optical signal of the optical signal time-division multiplexing unit 15a.
At the timing when it is not input to the other input side of the R gate,
The signal is input to one input side of the optical OR gate. Thereafter, the serial optical signal is output from the optical OR gate.

At this time, the serial optical signal and the serial optical signal converted by the electro-optical signal conversion unit of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a ″ -2 are determined to have different wavelengths from each other. The time slot is controlled by each of the reproduction / circulation storage units 9a "-1 and 9a" -2, and is written in the optical waveguide unit 10a.

The serial optical signal time-divided by the optical signal time-division multiplexing unit 15a of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a ″ -1 and the serial optical signal time-divided by the optical signal time-division multiplexing unit of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a ″ -2. Is written in the optical waveguide section 10a individually, the serial optical signal is written in the optical waveguide section 1a.
0a ', and the corresponding one of the serial optical signals is written to the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a "-1 and the optical signal of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a" -2.
It is read individually by the electrical signal converter.

On the other hand, a serial optical signal time-division multiplexed by the optical signal time-division multiplexing section 15a of the reproduction cyclic storage section 9a ″ -1 and an optical signal having a different wavelength and the reproduction cyclic storage section 9a ″ are stored. -2 time-division multiplexing by the optical signal time-division multiplexing unit,
In the case of writing simultaneously to a, the serial optical signals are merged by the optical wavelength division multiplexing unit 42a, and the serial optical signals are written to the optical waveguide unit 10a '.

After the serial optical signal propagates through the optical waveguide section 10a ', the serial optical signal is split by the optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 42a. A signal corresponding to the one of the serial optical signals before the merge, that is, a signal having the same wavelength as the serial optical signal before the merge in the serial optical signals is regenerated and stored in the recycle storage unit 9a ″ -1. Of the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a and the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit of the reproduction / circulation storage unit 9a ″ -2.

The serial optical signal thus read is
The optical signal is divided into two by the optical distribution element of the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a, one is input to the other input side of the first optical AND gate of the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a, and the other is input to the other The second optical AND gate is input to the other input side.

At this time, the data discriminating unit 20a converts the serial optical signal read by the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a into a signal to be rewritten into the optical waveguide unit 10a or a parallel electric signal. Identify what should be done. If it is a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide section 10a, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control section 13a
Synchronizes such that a light circulation control signal is input to one input side of a first optical AND gate and a serial optical signal is output from the first optical AND gate. On the other hand, in the case of a serial optical signal to be converted into a parallel electric signal, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a inputs the read control signal to one input side of the second optical AND gate and Synchronization is performed so that a serial optical signal is output from the second optical AND gate. In order to perform such synchronization, the reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 13a supplies a clock signal of, for example, 40 GHz to the optical signal circulation unit 11a.

The identification of whether a serial optical signal read by the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a is to be rewritten into the optical waveguide unit 10a 'or is to be converted into a parallel electric signal is as follows. This is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

While a serial optical signal to be written into the optical waveguide section 10a 'is not input to the other input side of the optical OR gate of the optical signal writing section 15a, it is input to one input side of the optical OR gate. Then, the serial optical signal is output from the optical OR gate and written into the optical waveguide unit 10a 'again.

On the other hand, a serial optical signal to be converted into a parallel electric signal is converted into a serial electric signal by the above-mentioned optical-electrical signal conversion element, and then the optical signal reading unit 17
The serial-parallel decoding element a converts the parallel electric signal into a parallel electric signal, and the parallel electric signal is read by the reading unit 23a.

The erasure of the serial optical signal read by the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing section 16a is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The parallel electric signals read by the reading unit 23a are identified by the data identifying unit 20a and temporarily stored in the storage buffer memory unit 19a, and then read by the reading unit 2a.
Restore at 3a. At this time, the error correction of the parallel electric signals is performed by the error correction coding unit 21a as necessary.

The data identification section 20a identifies whether the restored parallel electric signals are to be written again by the writing section 22a or to be read out to the outside.

In the case of parallel optical signals to be written again by the writing section 22a, the parallel optical signals are written based on the synchronization for writing the serial optical signals to the optical waveguide section 10a '.
The parallel optical signals are written to the writing unit 22a. On the other hand, parallel optical signals read out are read out.

According to the present embodiment, the optical signal writing unit 1
4a, the serial optical signal converted by the electro-optical signal converting element and the serial optical signal read out by the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a, which is to be written again to the optical waveguide unit 10a '. Multiplexed in a time division manner, the serial optical signal is written into the optical waveguide unit 10a ', and the serial optical signal is wavelength division multiplexed by the optical wavelength division multiplexing unit 42a, and the serial optical signal is Part 10
By propagating to a ′, a greater number of serial optical signals can be propagated to the optical waveguide, and thus a larger amount of data can be stored in the circular storage device 3a ″.

The cyclic storage devices according to the first to fourth embodiments can be used for a storage device of a system having virtual storage divided into fixed-length blocks called pages, and the cycle of the cyclic storage can be represented by an image. For example, it is possible to store and accumulate continuous images at 30 frames / second or 60 frames / second by adjusting the writing / reading unit, and to use the images in a reproducing apparatus. Further, the above-mentioned circulating storage device is extremely suitable for a storage / reproducing device or an image editing device for storing a high-resolution image or a large amount of images. Furthermore, the above-mentioned circulating storage device can also be used for an image storage / reproduction device, an image editing device, an image format conversion device, and the like in which images of various types are mixed.

The above-mentioned circulating storage device is classified as a volatile storage device that loses its memory when the power is turned off, like the semiconductor storage device. The circulating storage device is backed up by an uninterruptible power supply or the like. Reads backed up memory from magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, magnetic tape, etc. at the time of startup, and saves the memory in case of power failure, stop, data update, etc. By adding the function, no problem occurs when the power is turned off, and data can be stored for a long time.

[0228] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and many modifications and variations are possible. For example, the above-mentioned circular storage devices are arranged in parallel with the internal connection line, but the number of the circular storage devices in the circular storage system can be set to any other number.

In the second and fourth embodiments, the number of the regenerating / circulating storage units is set to two, but the number of the regenerating / circulating storage units in the circulating storage device may be changed to any other number. can do. Further, in the fourth embodiment, all the recirculation storage units have the optical signal circulation unit. However, at least one of the regenerative circulation storage units may have the optical signal circulation unit. it can.

In the first to fourth embodiments, some or all of the functions of the writing section, the reading section, the error correction code section, the data identification section, and the storage buffer memory section of the playback circulating section are replaced with the playback cycling section. It can also be integrated into the control unit. Also, some or all of the functions of the input / output interface unit, the working buffer memory unit, and the error correction code unit of the system management device can be integrated into the system management unit.
In addition, part or all of the function of the system management unit is integrated into the circular storage synchronization control unit, and part or all of the function of the circular storage synchronization control unit is integrated with the system management unit. Part or all of the functions of the storage buffer memory unit are integrated, some or all of the functions of the storage buffer memory unit are integrated with the working buffer memory unit, and some or all of the functions of the error correction code unit of the system management device are integrated. It is also possible to integrate the error code section of the reproduction cycling section with a part or all of the functions of the error code section of the reproduction cycling section and to integrate the error coding section of the system management apparatus.

In the first to fourth embodiments, a parallel electric signal is directly written from the working buffer memory of the system management device to the optical signal writing section.
The working buffer memory may read parallel optical signals directly from the optical signal reading unit. in this case,
The control processing means comprises a reproduction circulating unit and a working buffer memory, and the circulating storage device according to the present invention comprises a working buffer memory, a reproducing circulating storage unit, and an optical waveguide unit.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the data input from the input / output interface unit is
Although the case where the data is stored in the circular storage device via the internal connection line has been described, data may be transmitted between the circular storage devices. In this case, the data stored in a certain circular storage device is stored in a working buffer memory unit of the system management device via an internal connection line, and then the data is stored in another circular storage device.

In the second to fourth embodiments, a serial optical signal is randomly written from each of the optical signal writing sections to the optical waveguide section, but the serial optical signal is written to another optical signal writing section. In order to write at the same time as the serial optical signal from the system controller, the system management unit may control to synchronize.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the optical waveguide is an optical fiber, an optical waveguide formed on a substrate, an optical waveguide combining optical components, or an optical waveguide combining these. Can be. Further, the optical waveguide, two single-wavelength optical single waveguide or two or more wavelength single optical waveguides are arranged in series, but single-wavelength optical multiple waveguide or multiple-wavelength optical multiple waveguide, single, multiple They can be arranged in series or in parallel.

In the first to fourth embodiments, an intermediate point or a branch point is provided in the optical waveguide, and a serial optical signal is written at the intermediate point or the branch point.
A serial optical signal can be read from the midpoint. FIG. 19 shows such a case. FIG.
The cyclic storage device 3d shown in FIG.
a "-3 and 9a" -4, and an optical waveguide section 10c.

The two reproduction / circulation storage units 9a ″ -3 and 9
The optical signal circulating unit 11a 'of a "-4 (in this case, only the reproduction / circulating storage unit 9a" -3 will be described), each of which is a parallel-serial encoding element 30 and an electro-optical signal converting element 3.
Two optical signal writing units 14a-1 and 14a having 1
-2, an optical signal time-division multiplexing unit 15a, an optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 16a, and two optical signal readout units 17a each having an optical-electrical signal conversion element 36 and a serial-parallel decoding element 37. 1 and 17a-2. Note that the optical signal writing unit is an optical signal writing unit 14a-2, and the optical signal reading unit is an optical signal reading unit 17a-1.

The optical waveguide unit 10c includes optical waveguides 24a 'and 25a', optical amplifiers 26a and 27a, optical signal correction units 28a and 29a, an optical distribution element 33 ', and an optical wavelength division multiplexing unit 42a-1. And 42a-2 and optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing units 43a-1 and 43a-2.

The operation of the present example will be described. When writing a serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide unit 10c, the writing unit 2
Of the parallel electric signals to be written by 2a, those to be written to the optical signal writing unit 14a-2 are as follows:
By performing synchronization in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the data is written to the optical signal writing unit 14a-2. When the parallel electric signals are converted into serial optical signals by the optical signal writing unit 14a-2, the serial optical signals are written into the optical waveguide 25a 'via the optical wavelength division multiplexing unit 42a-2.

On the other hand, when reading out a serial optical signal from the middle of the optical waveguide section 10c, the optical signal correcting section 28
The serial optical signal corrected by a
Distributed by 3 '. One of the serial optical signals thus distributed is read by the optical signal reading unit 17a-1 via the optical wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 43a'-1.

In this manner, the reading and writing operations of serial optical signals can be performed more quickly.

FIG. 20 is a modification of the circular storage device of FIG. The circular storage device 3e shown in FIG. 20 includes a reproduction circular storage unit 9a'-4 and an optical waveguide unit 10c.

Each of the optical signal circulating units 11a ″ of the reproducing / circulating storage unit 9a′-4 includes a plurality of parallel-serial encoding elements 30-.
1. . . 30-n and electro-optical signal conversion element 31-
1. . . Two optical signal writing units 14 having 31-n
a′-1 and 14a′-2, and a plurality of optical-electrical signal conversion elements 36-1. . . 36-n and serial-parallel decoding elements 37-1. . . 37-n and two optical signal readout units 17a'-1 and 17a'-2. In this case, the optical signal writing unit is connected to the optical signal writing unit 14a '.
-2, and the optical signal reading means is an optical signal reading unit 17
Let a'-1.

In this case as well, similar to the circular storage device shown in FIG. 19, the reading and writing operations of serial optical signals can be performed more quickly.

Further, the optical amplifying unit and the optical signal correcting unit can be arranged at positions other than the positions described in the first to fourth embodiments.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a ninth embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a tenth aspect of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an eleventh aspect of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a circular storage system having a first embodiment of a circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of the circular storage device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining time slot assignment of data stored in the optical waveguide of serial optical signals in the first embodiment of the cyclic storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a circular storage system having a second embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a circular storage system having a third embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a circular storage system having a fourth embodiment of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining time slot assignment of data stored in the optical waveguide of serial optical signals in the third embodiment of the cyclic storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a modification of the first to fourth embodiments of the circular storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification of the cyclic storage device of FIG. 19;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 System management device 2 Internal connection lines 3a, 3b, 3a ', 3b', 3a ", 3b", 3c,
3d, 3e Circular storage device 4 External connection line 5 System management unit 6 I / O interface unit 7 Working buffer memory unit 8, 21a, 21b Error correction code unit 9a, 9a'-1, 9a'-2, 9a'-3 , 9a'-
4,9a "-1,9a" -2,9a "-3,9a"-
4,9b, 9b'-1,9b'-2,9b "-1,9
b ″ -2 Reproduction / circulation storage unit 10a, 10b, 10a ′, 10b ′, 10c Optical waveguide unit 11a, 11b, 11a ′ Optical signal circulation unit 12a, 12b Reproduction circulation unit 13a, 13b Reproduction / circulation synchronization control unit 14a, 14a− 1,14a-2,14a'-1,14
a'-2, 14b, 14a 'Optical signal writing sections 15a, 15b Optical signal time division multiplexing sections 16a, 16b Optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing sections 17a, 17a-1, 17a-2, 17a'-1, 17
a'-2, 17b, 17a 'Optical signal readout units 18a, 18b, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 2
4a ', 24b', 25a ', 25b' Optical waveguide 19a, 19b Storage buffer memory unit 20a, 20b Data identification unit 22a, 22b Write unit 23a, 23b Read unit 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b Optical amplifier unit 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b Optical signal correction unit 30, 30-1. . . 30-n parallel-serial encoding element 31, 31-1. . . 31-n Electric-optical signal conversion element 32 Optical OR gate 33, 33 'Optical distribution element 34, 35 Optical AND gate 36, 36-1. . . 36-n photoelectric conversion element 37, 37-1. . . 37-n serial-parallel decoding element 38,44 data 39,40,45,46,47 stored in the circulation path of serial optical signal time slot 41a, 41a ', 41a ", 41b optical signal converter 42a, 42a-1,42a-2,42b wavelength division multiplexing unit 43a, 43a-1,43a-2,43b wavelength division demultiplexing unit a light circulation control signals _{a 1, a 2, a 3} ... a n- ₂ , a _n-1 , a _n ,
a _x−1 , a _x , b ₁ . . . bb _y-1 , c ₁ . . .
c _z-1 , c _z serial optical signal b read control signal

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. Converting parallel electric signals representing digital data into optical signals, writing the optical signals in an optical waveguide, propagating the optical signals to the optical waveguide, and reading the optical signals from the optical waveguide. Converting the optical signal into a parallel electrical signal, restoring the parallel electrical signal to the data, converting the parallel electrical signal representing the data back into the optical signal, and writing the optical signal into the optical waveguide again. By configuring a data circulation cycle for circulating the data, and by circulating the data in the circulation cycle, storing the data in the data circulation cycle. Had a circular memory method. 2. The optical signal is read from the optical waveguide, and then written back to the optical waveguide to form an optical signal circulation cycle for circulating data of the optical signal. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data is stored in a closed loop of the optical signal by circulating the optical signal representing the data. 3. When converting the parallel electric signals into optical signals, a first synchronization signal for managing the entire time and establishing synchronization is provided, and the synchronization is performed based on the first synchronization signal. And, when reading out the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide, manage the entire time, provide a second synchronization signal for synchronization, based on the second synchronization signal,
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein synchronization is performed. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the serial optical signal is written in the middle of the optical waveguide, and / or the serial optical signal is read in the middle of the optical waveguide. A circular storage method using the optical waveguide according to any one of the above. 5. A control processing means in which parallel electric signals representing digital data are written from the outside, and said parallel electric signals are written from said control processing means, and said parallel electric signals are respectively written at the same wavelength. Signal reading and writing means for reading out the optical signal and converting it into a parallel electric signal, and the parallel electric signal is read out by the control processing means, and the signal reading and writing means And an optical waveguide means for storing the data by propagating a serial optical signal written from, and wherein the signal reading and writing means converts the parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal and thereafter converts the parallel electric signal into a serial optical signal. An electrical signal-to-optical signal converting means for converting; a serial optical signal converted by the electrical signal-to-optical signal converting means; Time-division multiplexing of the serial optical signals read by the writing means and those to be written again in the optical waveguide means in a time-division manner, and writing the serial optical signals in the optical waveguide means. Multiplexing means, reading out the serial optical signal from the optical waveguide means, identifying whether the serial optical signal is to be written again into the optical waveguide means, and writing again into the optical waveguide means Wherein the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means for writing the serial optical signal to the optical signal time-division multiplexing means; and the optical waveguide of the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide means. A serial optical signal other than that to be written to the means is read out from the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and the serial optical signal is converted into a serial electric signal and then converted into a parallel electric signal. Optical signal-electrical signal converting means for converting the serial optical signal written from the optical signal time-division multiplexing means, and storing data of the serial optical signal. An optical waveguide, the data being circulated by the control processing means, the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, the optical signal time division multiplexing means, the optical waveguide, the optical signal time division demultiplexing means, and the optical signal-electric signal conversion means. A parallel circuit of data to be read out of the parallel electric signals supplied to the control processing means, which is to be read out from the outside,
Other parallel electric signals are written into the electric signal-optical signal conversion means again, and the optical signal time-division multiplexing means, the optical waveguide, and the optical signal time-division demultiplexing means circulate the serial optical signals. A signal circulation cycle is formed, and the control processing means is synchronized for writing the parallel electric signal to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means so as to multiplex the serial optical signal in a time-division manner. Based on the synchronization, the parallel electric signal is written to the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, and the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide by the optical signal time-division demultiplexing means is transmitted to the optical waveguide means. Identify whether or not it is to be written again, and if it is to be written to the optical waveguide means, synchronization is required to rewrite the serial optical signal to the optical waveguide means. It is,
On the basis of the synchronization, the serial optical signal was written to the optical signal time-division multiplexing means,
A circular storage device using an optical waveguide. 6. Two or more control processing means for externally writing parallel electric signals representing digital data, and said parallel electric signals are respectively written from corresponding ones of the control processing means. Converting the parallel electric signal into a serial optical signal, reading the optical signal and converting it into a parallel electric signal, and reading the parallel electric signal by the corresponding control processing means; Means for reading and writing the same number of means, and optical waveguide means for storing the data by propagating a serial optical signal written from the signal reading and writing means, wherein each of the signal reading and writing means is The parallel electric signal is converted into a serial electric signal, then converted into a serial optical signal, and the serial optical signal is written into the optical waveguide means. Air signal-optical signal converting means; and optical signal-electric signal converting means for converting a serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide means into a serial electric signal and then converting the serial optical signal into a parallel electric signal, Means, an optical signal merging means for merging the serial optical signals written by the electric signal-optical signal converting means, and an optical signal merged by the optical signal merging means, An optical waveguide for storing data, and propagating through the optical waveguide such that an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the optical signal-electrical signal converting means is read out by the optical signal-electrical signal converting means, respectively. An optical signal shunting unit for shunting the serial optical signal, wherein the control processing unit is configured to write the parallel electrical signal from the control processing unit. An optical signal converting unit, an optical signal merging unit, an optical waveguide, an optical signal branching unit, and an optical signal-electric signal converting unit that reads an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the electric signal-optical signal converting unit. Wherein each of the serial optical signals converted by the electric signal-to-optical signal converting means has a different wavelength from each other. A circular storage device using a wave path. 7. A control processing means to which a parallel electric signal representing digital data is externally written, and said parallel electric signal is written from a corresponding one of the control processing means, and the parallel electric signal is written. Is converted into a serial optical signal, and the optical signal is read and converted into a parallel electric signal, and the parallel electric signal is read by the corresponding control processing means. An optical waveguide means for storing the data by propagating a serial optical signal written from the means, wherein the signal reading and writing means converts the parallel electric signal into a parallel optical signal and outputs the parallel light signal. An electrical signal-optical signal conversion means for writing a signal to the optical waveguide means, and a parallel optical signal read from the optical waveguide means. An optical signal-to-electrical signal converting means for converting the signal into an optical signal, wherein the optical waveguide means combines the parallel optical signals written by the electric signal-to-optical signal converting means; An optical waveguide that stores the data of the optical signal by propagating the optical signal merged by the merging unit; and an optical signal diversion unit that diverts the optical signal propagated through the optical waveguide. A signal-optical signal converting unit, an optical signal merging unit, an optical waveguide, an optical signal branching unit, and an optical signal-electrical signal converting unit, each constituting a data circulation circuit for circulating the data, the electric signal-optical signal; A circular storage device using an optical waveguide, wherein each of the parallel optical signals converted by the conversion means has a different wavelength from each other. 8. Two or more control processing means to which a parallel electric signal representing digital data is externally written, and said parallel electric signal is written from a corresponding one of the control processing means, respectively. Converting the parallel electric signal into a serial optical signal, reading the optical signal and converting it into a parallel electric signal, and reading the parallel electric signal by the corresponding control processing means; Means for reading and writing the same number of means, and optical waveguide means for storing the data by propagating a serial optical signal written from the signal reading and writing means, wherein each of the signal reading and writing means is An electric signal-optical signal converting means for converting the parallel electric signal into a serial electric signal and then converting the electric signal into a serial optical signal; The serial optical signal converted by the signal converting means and the serial optical signal read out by the signal reading and writing means to be rewritten in the optical waveguide means are multiplexed in a time-division manner. An optical signal time-division multiplexing means for writing the serial optical signal to the optical waveguide means, and the serial optical signal to be read from the optical waveguide means, and the serial optical signal to be written again to the optical waveguide means. Whether the optical signal is to be written again to the optical waveguide means, if the optical waveguide is to be written again, the optical signal time-division demultiplexing means for writing the serial optical signal to the optical signal time-division multiplexing means; Reading out of the serial optical signals read out from the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means the serial optical signals other than those to be rewritten into the optical waveguide means. And an optical signal-electrical signal converting means for converting the serial optical signal into a serial electric signal and then converting the serial optical signal into a parallel electric signal, wherein the optical waveguide means are respectively provided by the electric signal-optical signal converting means. An optical signal merging means for merging the written serial optical signals; an optical waveguide for propagating the optical signal merged by the optical signal merging means to store data of the optical signal; and An optical signal splitting unit that splits the serial optical signal that has propagated through the optical waveguide, so that an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the signal converting unit is read out by the optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit; The control processing means, an electric signal-optical signal conversion means to which the parallel electric signal is written from the control processing means, an optical signal merging means, an optical waveguide, an optical signal Flow means, and an optical signal to read out an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, by the optical signal-electrical signal conversion means, respectively constitute a data circulation cycle circulating the data, Of the parallel electric signals supplied to the control processing means, those to be read from the outside are read from the outside,
The other parallel electric signals are written into the electric signal-optical signal conversion means again, and the electric signal-optical signal conversion means, the optical signal merging means, the optical waveguide, the optical signal branching means, and the electric signal-optical signal conversion are performed. Optical signal-electrical signal converting means for reading out an optical signal corresponding to the serial optical signal converted by the means, respectively constituting a circulating loop of the optical signal circulating the data, the optical signal time division multiplexing means, the optical waveguide And an optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing unit, which constitutes an optical signal circulation cycle for circulating the serial optical signal, wherein the control processing unit multiplexes the serial optical signal in a time-division manner. Synchronization for writing the parallel electric signal is performed on the signal-optical signal conversion means, and the parallel electric signal is written on the electric signal-optical signal conversion means based on the synchronization. The optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means should identify whether the serial optical signal read from the optical waveguide is to be rewritten to the optical waveguide means, and should be written to the optical waveguide means. If so, the serial optical signal is synchronized to rewrite the optical waveguide means,
Based on the synchronization, the serial optical signal is written into the optical signal time division multiplexing means, and each of the serial optical signals converted by the electric signal-optical signal converting means has a different wavelength from each other. A circulating storage device using an optical waveguide, characterized in that: 9. The optical signal time division multiplexing / demultiplexing means for identifying a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide and synchronizing the serial optical signal to rewrite the optical signal in the optical waveguide. A first control signal is supplied, and based on the first control signal, a serial optical signal to be rewritten in the optical waveguide is supplied to the optical signal division multiplexing means and read out from the optical waveguide means. To identify serial optical signals other than those to be rewritten in the optical waveguide means among the serial optical signals thus obtained, and to synchronize the serial optical signals into parallel electrical signals. A second control signal is supplied to the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and the serial optical signal is supplied to the optical signal-to-electrical signal conversion means based on the second control signal. That A circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to claim 5. 10. The optical signal-to-optical signal conversion means, the optical signal time-division multiplexing means, the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means, and the optical signal-to-electric signal conversion means are formed on the same substrate. A circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to any one of claims 5, 8, and 9. 11. The electrical signal-to-optical signal conversion means and the optical signal time-division multiplexing means are formed on the same substrate, and the optical signal time-division multiplexing / demultiplexing means and the optical signal-to-electrical signal conversion means are provided separately. 10. A circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to claim 5, wherein the circulating storage device is formed on the same substrate. 12. The circulating storage using an optical waveguide according to claim 6, wherein said electric signal-optical signal conversion means and said optical signal-electric signal conversion means are formed on the same substrate. apparatus. 13. An optical signal writing means for writing the serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide, and / or an optical signal reading means for reading the serial optical signal in the middle of the optical waveguide. 5. The method according to claim 5, wherein
3. A circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to any one of 2. 14. The optical waveguide according to claim 5, wherein an optical amplification means is provided at a specific position or dispersed in the optical waveguide.
3. A circulating storage device using the optical waveguide according to any one of 3. 15. The circulating storage device using an optical waveguide according to claim 5, wherein an optical signal correction means is provided at a specific position or dispersed in the optical waveguide.