Highly redundant number representation for medium accuracy optical computing

A highly redundant number representation that offers a linear trade-off between the number of digits and the dynamic range is discussed for application to optical computing. Such a representation will be suitable only for moderate accuracies (8-10 bits) in optical computing with very simple postprocessing electronics. Schemes for performing the arithmetic operations of addition and multiplication are discussed along with an example of an optical correlator employing this number representation. (Author)