Systems and methods for parallel photonic computing

A system for photonic computing comprising a first plurality of multiplication modules (MMs) and a second plurality of summation modules (SMs), wherein:

• each MM of the first plurality comprises:
• an input modulator bank that generates an optical input signal, wherein the optical input signal comprises input signal light within each of a plurality of optical channels;
• an optical splitter that splits the optical input signal onto a plurality of input paths;
• and
• a plurality of multiplication banks, each multiplication bank of the plurality optically coupled to a different SM of the second plurality by a respective output path, wherein each multiplication bank of the plurality:
• receives the optical input signal via a respective input path of the plurality;
• receives a respective electrical control signal representative of a respective plurality of multiplier values;
• and
• generates a respective filtered signal by filtering the optical input signal based on the respective electrical control signal, wherein each optical channel is filtered based on a different multiplier value of the respective plurality;
• and
• outputs the respective filtered signal to a SM of the second plurality;
• each SM of the second plurality comprises a respective set of detectors, wherein, for each SM of the second plurality:
• the set of detectors receives a respective plurality of filtered signals, the respective plurality of filtered signals comprising a different filtered signal received from each MM of the first plurality;
• and
• based on the respective plurality of filtered signals, the SM generates a respective electrical signal representative of a sum of values represented by the respective plurality of filtered signals.

A method for photonic computing comprising:

• at a first multiplication module (MM):
• at a first multiplication bank of the first MM, receiving a first control signal representative of a first multiplier value;
• at a second multiplication bank of the first MM, receiving a second control signal representative of a second multiplier value;
• generating a first optical input signal, the first optical input signal comprising first input signal light of a first optical channel, wherein the first input signal light of the first optical channel is representative of a first multiplicand value;
• splitting the first optical input signal into a plurality of portions comprising a first portion and a second portion;
• at the first multiplication bank, receiving the first portion;
• at the first multiplication bank, generating a first filtered signal by filtering the first portion based on the first control signal, the first filtered signal comprising first filtered light of the first optical channel, wherein the first filtered light of the first optical channel is representative of a first summand, wherein the first summand is substantially equal to a product of the first multiplier value and the first multiplicand value;
• providing the first filtered signal to a first summation module (SM);
• at the second multiplication bank, receiving the second portion;
• at the second multiplication bank, generating a second filtered signal by filtering the second portion based on the second control signal, the second filtered signal comprising second filtered light of the first optical channel, wherein the second filtered light of the first optical channel is representative of a second summand, wherein the second summand is substantially equal to a product of the second multiplier value and the first multiplicand value;
• and
• providing the second filtered signal to a second SM;
• at a second multiplication module (MM):
• at a third multiplication bank of the second MM, receiving a third control signal representative of a third multiplier value;
• at a fourth multiplication bank of the first MM, receiving a fourth control signal representative of a fourth multiplier value;
• generating a second optical input signal, the second optical input signal comprising second input signal light of the first optical channel, wherein the second input signal light of the first optical channel is representative of a second multiplicand value;
• splitting the second optical input signal into a plurality of portions comprising a third portion and a fourth portion;
• at the third multiplication bank, receiving the third portion;
• at the third multiplication bank, generating a third filtered signal by filtering the third portion based on the third control signal, the third filtered signal comprising third filtered light of the first optical channel, wherein the third filtered light of the first optical channel is representative of a third summand, wherein the third summand is substantially equal to a product of the third multiplier value and the second multiplicand value;
• providing the third filtered signal to the first SM;
• at the fourth multiplication bank, receiving the fourth portion;
• at the fourth multiplication bank, generating a fourth filtered signal by filtering the fourth portion based on the fourth control signal, the fourth filtered signal comprising fourth filtered light of the first optical channel, wherein the fourth filtered light of the first optical channel is representative of a fourth summand, wherein the fourth summand is substantially equal to a product of the fourth multiplier value and the second multiplicand value;
• and
• providing the fourth filtered signal to a second SM;
• at the first SM:
• receiving a first plurality of filtered signals, the first plurality of filtered signals comprising the first filtered signal and the third filtered signal, wherein the first plurality of filtered signals is representative of a first plurality of summands comprising the first summand and the third summand;
• and
• based on the first plurality of filtered signals, generating a first electrical signal representative of sum of the first plurality of summands;
• and
• at the second SM;
• receiving a second plurality of filtered signals, the second plurality of filtered signals comprising the second filtered signal and the fourth filtered signal, wherein the second plurality of filtered signals is representative of a second plurality of summands comprising the second summand and the fourth summand;
• and
• based on the second plurality of filtered signals, generating a second electrical signal representative of a sum of the second plurality of summands.