Linear and logarithmic capacities in associative neural networks

A model of associate memory incorporating global linearity and pointwise nonlinearities in a state space of n-dimensional binary vectors is considered. Attention is focused on the ability to store a prescribed set of state vectors as attractors within the model. Within the framework of such associative nets, a specific strategy for information storage that utilizes the spectrum of a linear operator is considered in some detail. Comparisons are made between this spectral strategy and a prior scheme that utilizes the sum of Kronecker outer products of the prescribed set of state vectors, which are to function nominally as memories. The storage capacity of the spectral strategy is linear in n (the dimension of the state space under consideration), whereas an asymptotic result of n/4 log n holds for the storage capacity of the outer product scheme. Computer-simulated results show that the spectral strategy stores information more efficiently. The preprocessing costs incurred in the two algorithms are estimated, and recursive strategies are developed for their computation

Crosstalk-free Conjugate Networks for Optical Multicast Switching

High-speed photonic switching networks can switch optical signals at the rate of several terabits per second. However, they suffer from an intrinsic crosstalk problem when two optical signals cross at the same switch element. To avoid crosstalk, active connections must be node-disjoint in the switching network. In this paper, we propose a sequence of decomposition and merge operations, called conjugate transformation, performed on each switch element to tackle this problem. The network resulting from this transformation is called conjugate network. By using the numbering-schemes of networks, we prove that if the route assignments in the original network are link-disjoint, their corresponding ones in the conjugate network would be node-disjoint. Thus, traditional nonblocking switching networks can be transformed into crosstalk-free optical switches in a routine manner. Furthermore, we show that crosstalk-free multicast switches can also be obtained from existing nonblocking multicast switches via the same conjugate transformation.Comment: 10 page

Multilayer optical learning networks

A new approach to learning in a multilayer optical neural network based on holographically interconnected nonlinear devices is presented. The proposed network can learn the interconnections that form a distributed representation of a desired pattern transformation operation. The interconnections are formed in an adaptive and self-aligning fashioias volume holographic gratings in photorefractive crystals. Parallel arrays of globally space-integrated inner products diffracted by the interconnecting hologram illuminate arrays of nonlinear Fabry-Perot etalons for fast thresholding of the transformed patterns. A phase conjugated reference wave interferes with a backward propagating error signal to form holographic interference patterns which are time integrated in the volume of a photorefractive crystal to modify slowly and learn the appropriate self-aligning interconnections. This multilayer system performs an approximate implementation of the backpropagation learning procedure in a massively parallel high-speed nonlinear optical network

A systematic analysis of equivalence in multistage networks

Many approaches to switching in optoelectronic and optical networks decompose the switching function across multiple stages or hops. This paper addresses the problem of determining whether two multistage or multihop networks are functionally equivalent. Various ad-hoc methods have been used in the past to establish such equivalences. A systematic method for determining equivalence is presented based on properties of the link permutations used to interconnect stages of the network. This method is useful in laying out multistage networks, in determining optimal channel assignments for multihop networks, and in establishing the routing required in such networks. A purely graphical variant of the method, requiring no mathematics or calculations, is also described

Reusability in software engineering

This paper surveys recent work concerning reusability in software engineering. The current directions in software reusability are discussed, and the two major approaches of reusable building blocks and reusable patterns studied. An extensive bibliography, parts of which are annotated, is included