All-Optical Processing Based on a Logic xor Gate and a Flip-Flop Memory for Packet-Switched Networks

The routing functionality by all-optically interconnecting semiconductor-based all-optical logic gates and flip-flops is demonstrated in the frame of an all-optical label swapping (AOLS) network. We experimentally show that the output of the all-optical 2-bit correlator is capable of toggling the states of the integrated flip-flop every 2.5 ns via an adaptation stage. High extinction ratios are obtained at the output of the flip-flop, which can be used to feed a high-speed wavelength converter to complete the routing functionality of the AOLS node. The potential integration of these semiconductor optical amplifier integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based devices make the proposed approach a very interesting solution for future packet switched optical networks.     

SOA Fiber Ring Laser-Based Three-State Optical Memory

By exploiting three coupled semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) fiber ring lasers, a compact, integratable, and polarization-independent three-state all-optical memory is demonstrated, with 40-dB extinction ratio for each state. Dynamic flip-flop operation between states is also demonstrated with switching pulse energy of 13.6 nJ. Due to the broad bandwidth of SOA gain spectrum, the wavelength range of set pulses is large. Finally, the transition behavior of state switching is investigated.      

A novel all-optical switch: the wavelength recognizing switch

A new class of an all-optical switch-the wavelength recognizing switch is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The device uses a control signal to sense the wavelength of the input packet and taps a portion of the data packet to the appropriate output port. The device is based on noncollinear four-wave mixing in a broad-area traveling-wave semiconductor optical amplifier. Measured switching efficiency is +8.2 dB with -28.8 dB of crosstalk. The recognition bandwidth is as narrow as 0.03 /spl Aring/ and the 3-dB switching bandwidth is 42 nm.     

All-optical serial header processing based on two-pulse correlation

An all-optical serial header processor is demonstrated using a semiconductor laser amplifier in a loop mirror configuration (SLALOM). The operation of the header processor is discussed and it is experimentally demonstrated with a 10 Gbit/s Manchester encoded (information rate of 5 Gbit/s) packet stream. The operation of the header processor is based on the correlation function of the SLALOM. The header processor can be utilised in devising all-optical packet switches     

Optical signal processing based on self-induced polarization rotation in a semiconductor optical amplifier

We demonstrate novel optical signal processing functions based on self-induced nonlinear polarization rotation in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Numerical and experimental results are presented, which demonstrate that a nonlinear polarization switch can be employed to achieve all-optical logic. We demonstrate an all-optical header processing system, an all-optical seed pulse generator for packet synchronization, and an all-optical arbiter that can be employed for optical buffering at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s. Experimental results indicate that optical signal processing functions based on self-polarization rotation have a higher extinction ratio and a lower power operation compared with similar functions based on self-phase modulation.     

Nonlinear polarization rotation in semiconductor optical amplifiers: theory and application to all-optical flip-flop memories

We present a model for polarization-dependent gain saturation in strained bulk semiconductor optical amplifiers. We assume that the polarized optical field can be decomposed into transverse electric and transverse magnetic components that have indirect interaction with each other via the gain saturation. The gain anisotropy due to tensile strain in the amplifier is accounted for by a population imbalance factor. The model is applied to a nonlinear polarization switch, for which results are obtained, that are in excellent agreement with experimental data. Finally, we describe an all-optical flip-flop memory that is based on two coupled nonlinear polarization switches.     

OPERA: an optical packet experimental routing architecture withlabel swapping capability

This paper describes experimental and simulation results of the optical packet experimental routing architecture (OPERA) project. The OPERA network is based on a novel optical network interface router design that is optically regenerative and supports optical Internet protocol related functions including label swapping, packet routing and forwarding operations and wavelength reuse. Routing is based on subcarrier multiplexed header addressing, packet-rate wavelength conversion, and arrayed waveguide router technology. The routers are cascadable and use a unique double stage wavelength converter that supports header regeneration/replacement and maintains the payload extinction ratio. This approach overcomes dispersion limitations normally encountered using double sideband subcarrier multiplexing across a network. A discrete time simulation of the physical transport in an 8-hop network is reported. Multihop routing is experimentally demonstrated between two all-optical nodes and three input-output (I-O) ports of a waveguide grating array router. Packet-rate subcarrier header processing and wavelength conversion between six wavelengths is shown with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of recovered payload and headers at each hop     

Photonic packet switches: architectures and experimentalimplementations

Photonic packet switches offer high speed, data rate and format transparency, and flexibility required by future computer communications and cell-based telecommunications networks. In this paper, we review experimental progress in state-of-the-art photonic packet switches with an emphasis on all-optical guided-wave systems. The term all-optical implies that the data portion of a packet remains in optical format from the source to the destination. While the data remain all-optical, both optical and optoelectronic techniques have been used to process packet routing functions based on extremely simple routing protocols. An overview of the design issues for all-optical photonic packet switching is given and contrasted with electronic packet switch implementations. Low-level functions that have been experimentally implemented include routing, contention resolution, synchronization, and header regeneration. System level demonstrations, including centralized photonic switching and distributed all-optical multihop networks, will be reviewed     

All-Optical Flip-Flop Based on an SOA/DFB-Laser Diode Optical Feedback Scheme

We report on the dynamic all-optical flip-flop (AOFF) operation of an optical feedback scheme consisting of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and a distributed feedback laser diode (DFB-LD), bidirectionally coupled to each other. The operation of the AOFF relies on the interplay between the optical powers in both the DFB-LD and the SOA. Switching times as low as 150ps for switch pulse energies of around 6 pJ and a repetition rate of 500MHz have been measured. The contrast ratio was measured to be above 12 dB     

All-optical routing using wavelength recognizing switches

This paper presents system considerations for optical packet-switched network using a wavelength recognizing switch (WRS) device for all-optical control and routing. Networks with the WRS device are capable of truly all-optical routing; the packet header is processed in the optical domain. This unique feature allows the self-routing of optical packets in a flexible and dynamically reconfigurable way, but introduces new challenges for the network architect. Our novel architecture combines the use of the WRS with arrayed waveguide devices in a powerful addressing mode. In this paper we explore some of the system issues, including crosstalk, noise performance, cascadability. We present experimental data on a broad-area WRS device we fabricated and assess the feasibility of an integrated version of the device     

Wavelength switching components for future photonic networks

This article provides a review of integrated laser and semiconductor optical amplifier components that have been configured to provide a variety of all-optical functions such as wavelength conversion, routing, signal regeneration, and add-drop multiplexing. The components have been devised so that they can be reliably and simply used within a multiwavelength network. The article introduces the components by outlining the current leading techniques for wavelength conversion using SOAs, namely by way of cross-gain modulation, cross-phase modulation, and four-wave mixing. The integrated SOA distributed feedback laser is then shown to provide excellent regeneration properties, not only overcoming fiber dispersion limitations but also polarization mode dispersion. Finally, the devices are shown to make possible a regenerative wavelength switching node where routing is achieved using a tunable laser to provide regenerative wavelength conversion followed by an arrayed waveguide router. This switch shows promise for use in future photonic packet switching architectures     

Broad-band all-optical flip-flop based on optical bistability in an integrated SOA/DFB-SOA

We have demonstrated a broad-band all-optical flip-flop for wavelength-division-multiplexing system based on optical bistability in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)/distributed feedback (DFB)-SOA with wide gain bandwidth for both SOA and DFB-SOA regions. Input signal with two different wavelength selections of 1530.45 and 1578.12 nm and the repetition ration of about 6 ns is injected into the SOA/DFB-SOA.     

168-Gb/s all-optical wavelength conversion with asymmetric-Mach-Zehnder-type switch

Error-free all-optical wavelength conversion at 168 Gb/s, which is the highest repetition rate ever reported, has been achieved by using a symmetric-Mach-Zehnder (SMZ)-type switch. Low-power-penalty 84-Gb/s operation is also demonstrated. The push-pull switching mechanism of the SMZ switch enables such ultrafast operation based on cross-phase modulation associated with the carrier depletion in a semiconductor optical amplifier. The configuration of the delayed-interference signal-wavelength converter, which is a simplified variant of the SMZ switch, is used in this experiment     

Novel packet architecture for all-optical ultrafast packet-switching networks

Header recognition and packet detection in all-optical networks using on/off optical ultrafast signalling at a fixed wavelength can be implemented by means of recently demonstrated optical sampling AND gates. A novel packet structure in which the header is spread in a TDM fashion over the optical packet allows the number of such AND gates to be minimised in the routing and receiving blocks thereby best exploiting the required electronics.<>     

Optical-Logic-Gate Aided Packet-Switching in Transparent Optical Networks

The objective of this research is to propose two new optical procedures for packet routing and forwarding in the framework of transparent optical networks. The single-wavelength label-recognition and packet-forwarding unit, which represents the central physical constituent of the switching node, is fully described in both cases. The first architecture is a hybrid opto-electronic structure relying on an optical serial-to- parallel converter designed to slow down the label processing. The remaining switching operations are done electronically. The routing system remains transparent for the packet payloads. The second architecture is an all-optical architecture and is based on the implementation of all-optical decoding of the parallelized label. The packet-forwarding operations are done optically. The major subsystems required in both of the proposed architectures are described on the basis of nonlinear effects in semiconductor optical amplifiers. The experimental results are compatible with the integration of the whole architecture. Those subsystems are a 4-bit time-to-wavelength converter, a pulse extraction circuit, a an optical wavelength generator, a 3$,times,$8 all-optical decoder and a packet envelope detector.      

基于半导体光放大器的光单稳态触发器

为实现全光缓存中的光读写控制和光逻辑判断,提出并实验验证了一种基于半导体光放大器(SOA)双环结构的全光单稳态触发器。此触发器的稳态与非稳态激射不同的光波长,状态间静态消光比超过40 dB,切换时间仅仅为1-2个环腔周期,控制信号光波长范围大。通过减小环腔长度可进一步减小两状态之间切换时间,并可作为光缓存的控制单元。     

半导体光放大器的光-光互作用及在全光信号处理中的应用(Ⅰ)

半导体光放大器(SOA)中非线性系数约为普通光纤的109倍,为光子晶体光纤的107倍.有4种光-光互作用,即交叉增益调制、交叉相位调制、交叉偏振调制和四波混频,可以灵活地组成各种光信号处理器件,如波长变换器、全光触发器、全光逻辑、全光时钟恢复、全光缓存器,正成为整个光信号处理的基础.介绍了这些技术的同时,分析当前应用的制约因素,指出半导体光放大器集成是下一步发展的必然趋势.     

160 Gb/s variable length packet/10 Gb/s-label all-optical label switching with wavelength conversion and unicast/multicast operation

We report on the first demonstration of all-optical label switching (AOLS) with 160 Gb/s variable length packets and 10 Gb/s optical labels. This result demonstrates the transparency of AOLS techniques from previously demonstrated 2.5 Gb/s to this 160 Gb/s demonstration using a common routing and packet lookup framework. Packet forwarding/conversion, optical label erasure/re-write and signal regeneration at 160 Gb/s is achieved using a WDM Raman enhanced all-optical fiber cross-phase modulation wavelength converter. It is also experimentally shown that this technique enables packet unicast and multicast operation at 160 Gb/s. The packet bit-error-rate is measured for all optical label switched 16 /spl times/ 10 Gb/s channels and error free operation is demonstrated after both label swapping and packet forwarding.     

半导体光放大器的光-光互作用及在全光信号处理中的应用(Ⅱ)

半导体光放大器(SOA)中非线性系数约为普通光纤的109倍,为光子晶体光纤的107倍.有4种光-光互作用,即交叉增益调制、交叉相位调制、交叉偏振调制和四波混频,可以灵活地组成各种光信号处理器件,如波长变换器、全光触发器、全光逻辑、全光时钟恢复、全光缓存器,正成为整个光信号处理的基础.介绍了这些技术的同时,分析当前应用的制约因素,指出半导体光放大器集成是下一步发展的必然趋势.     

Low-loss wavelength routers for WDM optical networks and high-capacity IP routers

The author proposes, for future wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical networks, new wavelength routers with reduced losses and improved wavelength response. This paper focuses on the most general type of wavelength router, the N/spl times/N router. This device is particularly attractive in a metropolitan network, where a star arrangement based on the N/spl times/N router allows the network configuration (the wavelength path of each signal) to be varied and managed in a simple fashion. The N/spl times/N router has been shown to be suitable for both packet and circuit switching. In particular, ultrahigh-capacity IP routers have been demonstrated by using fast tunable lasers and burst mode receivers.