title: Optoelectronic neural-network scheduler for packet switches.
abstract: A novel, to our knowledge, type of packet scheduler that could significantly outperform current state-of-the-art schedulers is presented. The operation and the design of such a scheduler are discussed, and a fully operational experimental implementation is described. The scheduler uses a neural network in a winner-take-all strategy to optimize decisions on the throughput of both a crossbar and a banyan switching fabric. The problems of high interconnection density are solved by use of a free-space optical interconnect that exploits diffractive optical techniques to generate the required interconnection patterns and weights.
authors.affiliation: British Telecom Laboratories, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3RE, UK.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Waddie
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Symington
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Taghizadeh
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Snowdon