A memory access system that includes a data sending apparatus, an optical transmission medium, and a data receiving apparatus. The data sending apparatus includes a signal generator, an optical switch, and an optical modulator. The signal generator controls the optical switch to output the optical wave of the wavelength corresponding to the target memory, and the optical wave carries an electrical signal corresponding to an access request, so that an optical signal carrying the access request is directly transmitted from the optical transmission medium to the data receiving apparatus without passing through the optical switch anymore, which avoids noise interference generated when the optical signal passes through the optical switch.

Systems and methods for increasing throughput of a photonic processor by using photonic degrees of freedom (DOF) are provided. The photonic processor includes a multiplexer configured to multiplex, using at least one photonic DOF, multiple encoded optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal. The photonic processor also includes a detector coupled to an output of an optical path including the multiplexer, the detector being configured to generate a first current based on the multiplexed optical signal or a demultiplexed portion of the multiplexed optical signal. The photonic processor further includes a modulator coupled to and output of the detector, the modulator being configured to generate a second current by modulating the first current.