This research addresses the communication structure of MIMS (multiple instruction, multiple data) distributed memory parallel computer systems. The goal of this work is to develop fault tolerant structures for high capicity, low latency interprocessor communication that significantly reduces the system complexity from current interconnection techniques. The proposed method to achieve this objective is through the incorporation of optical interconnections. Data packets are routed through intermediary nodes in current distributed memory systems. The latency incurred at each step due to the buffering, address decode, routing and transmission is significant. Care must be taken by communicating processes so the latencies are not severe. Self-routing single-step optically interconnected communication structures can be designed through the incorporation of agile laser diode sources and wavelength tunable optical filters in a wavelength division multiple access environment. This allows multiple high-bandwidth channels on a single physical link.
