Experimental demonstration of optical packet assembly and segmentation for Gigabit Ethernet Optical Label Switching networks

Abstract

A multi-wavelength optical label switching test-bed is introduced. The optical label is constructed by a series of optical pulses with different wavelengths that are in the same WDM optical channel. High speed optical switches and DSP chips are used to process the optical label signal. The four-node programmable optical label switching network is demonstrated by transmitting PC capture signal and multimedia video flow with standard Gigabit Ethernet frame. Furthermore, an optical packet assembly and segmentation method is proposed for Gigabit Ethernet Optical Label Switching networks. Two timers are used to realize the exact timing on microsecond magnitude between optical label and programmable optical Ethernet packet. The experimental system executes the real time process and the Gigabit Ethernet data packets with optical label are switching and transmitting successfully. The optical packet programmable method enhances bandwidth utilization and throughput, increases the intelligence, flexibility and multi-service bearing ability of the Optical Label Switching network.