Array interconnection by phase-coded optical correlation

We present an algorithm for optical interconnection of two-dimensional arrays by transmitting the input through a phase-code mask then correlating it with a control image constructed from the interconnection weights. An arbitrary complex-weighted interconnection pattern can be encoded. We show how the output signal-to-noise ratio can be traded for control image size and complexity by adjusting the phase-code feature size. Theoretical calculations of the average output signal-to-noise ratio are compared with computer simulations of the algorithm.