Research on optical computing system architecture for simple recurrent neural networks

Moore’s Law, relating to the speed and capabilities of computers is becoming less applicable. In this ‘post-Moore’ era, a cross-disciplinary team based in the Constructive Electronics Laboratory, Kyushu University, Japan, is investigating optical computing system infrastructures, with a view to driving computing technology forward in a way that negates the need to comply with Moore’s Law. Associate Professor Satoshi Kawakami is an expert in electric circuits and computer architecture who is part of the team. The team’s expertise covers materials, devices, circuits, architectures and algorithms and is geared towards pioneering new computing technologies in the post-Moore era. Kawakami believes that the continuous improvement of computer systems with higher performance and lower power consumption/energy consumption will be essential to realise a sustainable advanced information society and wants to maximise the advantages of devices and hide their disadvantages at the system level, which will necessitate collaboration with higher system layers. Another important goal is reducing power consumption by improving the efficiency of computers. In one current project, the researchers are exploring optical computing system infrastructure for simple recurrent neural networks. The team is keen to re-examine the ideal state of optical circuits from the perspective of the entire system, including electrical memory and interfaces.