Oscillatory Metastability in Optical Network Synchronizer Circuits

Synchronization of signal packets is required in networks in order to route the packets. Due to changes in the interarrival times of the packets the inputs to the routing circuits may exhibit oscillatory metastability. Oscillatory metastability can be eliminated in optical circuits by the addition of logic signal stretch. This can be done because the propagation time of optics can be precisely controlled. An algorithm for inserting logic signal stretch to eliminate oscillatory metastability is presented herein.