Architectures and techniques for all-optical networks

Abstract

Some recent results on all-optical packet-switching and broadcasting networks are presented. The performance evaluation problem of packet-switching transparent optical networks with deflection routing is addressed. Transmission error arguments show how, for a given optical bit rate, the size of an all-optical nonregenerative multishop network is limited by the accumulation of noise and distortion in the optical fiber channel. Time-domain multiple access techniques are exploited in novel architectures based on recently proposed all-optical sampling gates to realize the matching of the ultrahigh optical speed allowed by the large bandwidth of the fiber with the lower speed of the electronic components needed at the user ends. These architectures allow great simplification of the node structure in the considered all-optical multihop and broadcast networks.     

Architectures and techniques for all-optical networks

Some recent results on all-optical packet-switching and broadcasting networks are presented. The performance evaluation problem of packet-switching transparent optical networks with deflection routing is addressed. Transmission error arguments show how, for a given optical bit rate, the size of an all-optical nonregenerative multishop network is limited by the accumulation of noise and distortion in the optical fiber channel. Time-domain multiple access techniques are exploited in novel architectures based on recently proposed all-optical sampling gates to realize the matching of the ultrahigh optical speed allowed by the large bandwidth of the fiber with the lower speed of the electronic components needed at the user ends. These architectures allow great simplification of the node structure in the considered all-optical multihop and broadcast networks.     

Shaping and switching of polychromatic light in arrays of periodically curved nonlinear waveguides

We overview our recent theoretical results on spatio-spectral control, diffraction management, and broadband all-optical switching of polychromatic light in periodically curved one and two dimensional arrays of coupled optical waveguides. In particular, we show that polychromatic light beams and patterns produced by white-light and supercontinuum sources can experience wavelength-independent normal, anomalous, or zero diffraction in specially designed structures. We also demonstrate that in the nonlinear regime, it is possible to achieve broadband all-optical switching of polychromatic light in a directional waveguide coupler with special bending of the waveguide axes. Our results suggest novel opportunities for creation of all-optical logical gates and switches which can operate in a very broad frequency region, e.g., covering the entire visible spectrum. Presented at 9-th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics Applications, NOA 2007, May 17–20, 2007, Świnoujście, Poland     

全光地址识别机理的研究

在面向分组业务的全光交换系统中,采用全光地址处理技术可以减少处理时延,大大提高信息处理速度和网络吞吐量,对全光网络的研究具有重要意义。分析了光正交码的自相关性与互相关性,并将其特性应用于全光传送网中,以针对未来基于光分组业务的全光环网为例,提出了一种光分插复用器的新型结构,给出了总体应用设计规则,重点研究和分析了全光地址识别机理和相关的应用设计方法,给出了针对全光环网组网规模的仿真分析结构和基本实验结果。结果表明采用所提出的设计原则和设计方法来实现全光地址识别是可行的。     

All-Optical Wavelength Conversion Based on Four-Wave Mixing in Dispersion-Engineered Silicon Nanowaveguides

We demonstrate experimentally all-optical wavelength conversion based on four-wave mixing in dispersion-engineered silicon nanowaveguides with a picosecond pulse pump. We find that the conversion efficiency is significantly limited by nonlinear losses induced by the two-photon absorption and freecarrier absorption. Using a picosecond pulse pump centered at 1,550 nm, we show that the input continuous-wave signals can efficiently be converted into a broadband idler pulse in silicon waveguides with various dimensions. Conversion efficiencies versus signal wavelengths are different for silicon waveguides with different dimensions due to the variation in the phase mismatch; we obtain a conversion efficiency of – 32 dB in silicon nanowaveguides with a length of 5.8 mm. Such on-chip optical wavelength converters can find important potential applications in highly-integrated optical circuits for all-optical ultrafast signal processing.     

Method of developing all-optical parallel to serial converter exploiting Kerr non-linearity of medium

Different all-optical logic operations, memory blocks etc. are developed using the inherent parallelism of optics. In any digital communication and computation system, the role of serial to parallel and parallel to serial data conversion are very much essential for making a data convenient for transition.Here in this paper, the authors propose a new scheme for developing an all-optical parallel to serial data conversion system by using optical J-K Flip-Flops and some logic gates based on optical non-linear switches. The uses of such switches are widely established in the area of optical parallel computation.This process can be extend for developing some all-optical digital devices like shift register, optical pulse counters etc. The proposed scheme deals with the best use of high parallelism of the optics, so the super-fast processing speed can be achieved.     

基于半导体光放大器的环路型全光缓存器中功率均衡的新方法

全光缓存器能够在光域内对数据包进行存储而不需经过光电光的变换,成为全光网的重要组成部分,其性能的优劣将直接影响到网络的丢包率等。但在半导体光放大器中交叉增益调制和交叉相位调制效应并存,导致基于半导体光放大器的环路型全光缓存器中缓存后输出的数据包与未缓存数据包的输出功率间存在不均衡,使得网络误码率增加。在详细分析全光缓存器工作原理的基础上,利用半导体光放大器中交叉增益调制和交叉相位调制并存的现象,巧妙地提出了将控制脉冲反相并配合电可调衰减器的新方法。该方法简单易行,有效解决了此类全光缓存器中数据包输出功率不均衡的难题,缓存器性能得到了极大改善。此方法适用于所有基于半导体光放大器的环路型全光缓存器。     

Analysis of Connection Availability in an All-Optical Mesh Network

This paper presents the method of an availability performance analysis that can be used for all-optical networks. We compare different schemes of protection and restoration in a fully connected mesh network based on optical cross-connects, optical fibers, and fiber amplifiers. Specifically treated is an optical mesh network physically mapped onto a Scandinavian backbone. In order to compare different survivability strategies, we selected two nodes located roughly 420 km apart. The goal of this work is to point out possible ways to improve connection availability. A number of survivability schemes are compared, for which the availability model of logical connection is derived and a calculation procedure is described. Our results show that unprotected schemes cannot ascertain reasonably high requirements on connection availability in the backbone network. Thus, if a redundant structure of logical connection is considered, the particular survivability scheme should be evaluated in order to maximize connection availability.     

Key module for a novel all-optical network coding scheme

<正>We introduce a novel network-coding scheme that can be implemented in all-optical multicast networks.A simple and successful module based on the all-optical XOR gate is designed to realize the network coding scheme.The module is a key hardware component in realizing the proposed scheme.The working principle and the experimental results of the module are also presented.Experimental results show that the function of the module is sufficient in satisfying the requirements of the proposed network coding scheme.     

Optical bistability and multistability via double dark resonance in graphene nanostructure

Electrons in graphene nanoribbons can lead to exceptionally strong optical responses in the infrared and terahertz regions owing to their unusual dispersion relation.Therefore,on the basis of quantum optics and solid-material scientific principles,we show that optical bistability and multistability can be generated in graphene nanostructure under strong magnetic field.We also show that by adjusting the intensity and detuning of infrared laser field,the threshold intensity and hysteresis loop can be manipulated efficiently.The effects of the electronic cooperation parameter which are directly proportional to the electronic number density and the length of the graphene sample are discussed.Our proposed model may be useful for the nextgeneration all-optical systems and information processing based on nano scale devices.     

EIT based tunable metal composite spherical nanoparticles

Optical polarizability of a composite metal–dielectric and dielectric–metal spherical nanoparticle is investigated in view of achieving all-optical tunability. In this work, the Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) implemented in the shell or core of the nanoparticle is used. For the proposed nanoparticle, we show that EIT phenomenon can be utilized to tune the resonance frequency in the frequency response of polarizability. We present a quasi-static analysis for determining polarizability of the nanoparticle. According to our simulation results, all-optical tunability of polarizability can be achieved for reasonable values of optical pump power. Also, we demonstrate how the extinction quality factor and electric field distribution can be controlled for the introduced nanoparticle.     

基于半导体光放大器中非线性偏振旋转效应单一光缓存环全光时隙交换处理能力研究

对基于半导体光放大器(SOA)中非线性偏振旋转效应(NPR)效应的单一光缓存环多数据包的全光时隙交换(TSI)处理能力进行了理论和实验研究,在使用归纳法导出单一缓存环实现多数据包全光时隙(TSI)必要条件的基础上,针对各种全光TSI操作要求得出了相应光数据包的调度方案,在实验上,以基于SOA中NPR效应的单一光缓存环实验系统,开展了多数据包全光TSI操作的实验研究,根据上述光数据包理论调度方案进行相应系统参数设定,进行了速率为10 Gb/s的3个和4个数据包的全光TSI实验,实验结果与理论预期相符合,研究成果为减少昂贵SOA元件的用量、简化基于光缓存环全光TSI系统的结构提供了可靠依据,对推进全光TSI技术的发展具有重要意义。     

Broadcasting, Scalability, and Reconfigurability Aspects in an All-Optical Network Architecture

All-optical networks are a sound answer to the huge data traffic demand expected for the forthcoming information society. Interesting networking aspects are the broadcasting, scalability, and reconfiguration in an all-optical environment. These issues are addressed in the present article for an all-optical network called MATRIX, which is time slotted and uses packet switching. The architecture enables the all-optical interconnection of a large number of nodes with both a small number of wavelengths and wavelength continuity based on a consequent exploitation of wavelength-division multiplexing and space-division multiplexing (i.e., multiple fibers per cable are used). For an efficient use of the resources, each node is equipped with multiple transmitters and receivers, respectively. Two different broadcasting schemes are investigated. An analytical model is developed, and the corresponding simulation results are in good agreement. It is further shown how different networks of arbitrary size can be interconnected to larger all-optical network clusters, thereby providing scalability not only with respect to the number of nodes but also to the geographical extension. Finally, wavelength reassignments allow change of optical paths through the network in case of changing traffic patterns or network failures in order to best exploit the available network resources. The total number of possible configurations is determined by the theory of Latin Squares.     

Ultra-high speed all-optical shift registers and their applications in OTDM networks

All-optical shift registers are basic building modules for the development of ultra-high speed optical time division multiplexing networks. In this paper, we review the progress that has been made in this cutting-edge technology, focusing on implementations that exploit the attractive features of semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based interferometric configurations. We present regenerative storage performed with an all-optical recirculating shift register with an inverter at 10 Gb/s using a SOA-assisted Sagnac switch and a second SOA to provide feedback. We demonstrate also an all-optical memory based on the SOA-assisted Ultrafast Nonlinear Interferometer capable of reading/writing 20 Gb/s packets of variable length without data inversion. These registers can find application in the development of two nontrivial complex all-optical circuits of enhanced functionality. The first is an all-optical pseudorandom binary sequence generator for which we describe an efficient design algorithm and propose ways for monitoring and verification. The second is an all-optical error counter for which we address the error detection and evaluation issues using a novel sampling technique. These circuits are key elements for the implementation of a high-speed, all-optical bit error rate tester (BERT), which has the potential to outperform its electronic equivalent and constitute a possible new product for the telecommunications industry.     

Blocking in wavelength-routed all-optical WDM network with or without wavelength conversion

The blocking probability in wavelength-routed all-optical networks is a very important measure of performance of the network. This blocking probability can be affected by many factors such as network topology, traffic load, number of links, algorithms employed and whether wavelength conversion is available or not. In this paper we have proposed a mathematical model to reduce the blocking probability of the WDM optical network for both wavelength convertible networks as well as for wavelength non-convertible networks. The model is can be used to evaluate the blocking performance of any network topology also it can be useful to improve its performance of the given network topology.     

Differential group delay monitoring using an all-optical signal spectrum-analyser

We demonstrate an all-optical device that monitors differential group delay (DGD) degradation of picosecond optical pulses. This device is based on an ultrafast all-optical signal analyser that uses nonlinear effects (cross-phase modulation) to transfer rapid temporal fluctuations into frequency domain effects that can be measured on an conventional optical spectrum analyser (incorporating a slow-detector). This monitoring scheme will enable rapid dynamic monitoring and compensation of DGD in ultrafast optical networks, at 160 Gb/s data rates and beyond, where electronic monitoring techniques cannot operate. We discuss the required signal polarisation condition.     

O-RPR网络中622 Mbps光上路源的研制

基于全光缓存器的光弹性分组交换环(O-RPR)是一种全光分组交换网络,能够克服目前RPR存在的电子瓶颈。为了模拟这种网络解决竞争的能力和解决网络的帧同步不丢失的问题,设计了一种基于FPGA的光上路源。它由数据包(帧)生成、并串变换和电光转换三部分组成,其包长、包内伪随机序列长度、及通信速率均可变,具有结构简单、成本低廉和操作方便的优点,已成功应用于O-RPR实验网络中。     

All-optical code routing in interconnected optical CDMA and WDM ring networks

We propose an all-optical hybrid network composed of optical code division multiple access (CDMA) rings interconnecting through a reconfigurable wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) metro area ring. This network retains the advantages of both the optical CDMA and WDM techniques, including asynchronous access and differentiated quality of service, while removing the hard limit on the number of subscribers and increasing network flexibility. The all-optical network is enabled by using nonlinear optical loop mirrors in an add/drop router (ADR) that performs code conversion, dropping, and switching asynchronously. We experimentally demonstrate the functionalities of the ADR in the proposed scheme asynchronously and obtain error-free performance. The bit-error rate measurements show acceptable power penalties for different code routes.     

全光通信网的计算机仿真设计

为了规范、设计、仿真和优化全光通信网,开发一套功能强大的光网用计算机辅助设计软件(OCAD)是十分必要的.在本文里,我们总结了两种用来设计、优化WDM全光网O-CAD的方法:频域分析法(FDA)和时域分析法(TDA).最后基于SHAONET全光通信试验平台,开展了初步的OCAD设计工作,结果表明它对于设计和分析全光网的性能是十分有用和有效的.     

All-optical mass sensing with coupled mechanical resonator systems

With the small mass, large quality-factor and high frequency, mechanical resonators (MRs) will ultimately find usage in a broad range of applications, such as electrometry, optomechanical/electromechanical signal processing, and mass detection. In this review, we focus on a particular MR application: mass sensing in an all-optical domain. Compared to the mass detection based on the electrical techniques, we have proposed an optical protocol to weigh the external particles deposited onto the surface of a mechanical resonator. This protocol, which is so far the first method to deal with the mass sensing in an all-optical domain, is based on some coupled mechanical resonator systems. Here we review our recent optical mass sensors comprehensively. These all-optical mass sensors have the potential to break through the limitation of frequency restriction and to enhance the sensitivity of mass detection.