Low-loss optical packet synchronization architecture

Abstract

A novel synchronization architecture is presented for packet based optical networks, exhibiting low insertion loss and reduced crosstalk, taking advantage of the characteristics of AWG (arrayed waveguide grating) filters. Thus far, only logarithmic delay lines have been investigated rigorously, the generic structures either based on 2 X 2 switches or on a 1-to-m splitter combined with semiconductor optical amplifier gates. The first scheme introduces not only high loss but also crosstalk, producing a high amount of interferometric noise. The latter has a lot of splitting loss to accommodate but overall, fewer stages are necessary to achieve the same delay as more than two paths per stage can be set up. In this paper, AWGs in combination with wavelength converters replace the splitter/SOA-gate geometry minimizing the optical loss, ensuring that higher levels of optical power remain to traverse the adjacent switching matrix. This novel set-up ensures that only low levels of amplification are needed minimizing concomitant noise accumulation. An incoming cell or data stream will be converted to a distinct wavelength determined by an evaluation circuit in the electronic domain. The chosen wavelength maps the input to a length of fiber which in turn represents the necessary delay, effectively executing path length (and hence time alignment) equalization of different incoming packets. Once the wavelength conversion is executed the cell is fed into an AWG, governed by a `hardwired' translation-table (input/output), ensuring cells propagate to the correct output. Finer delays are realized by cascading the principle stage.