A bit-serial optical packet label-swapping scheme using DPSK encoded labels

We present a simple and robust bit-serial optical packet label-swapping scheme based on return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying encoded labels. The scheme is demonstrated with a label-swapping experiment for 10-Gb/s packets over two network nodes. Penalty-free label swapping is achievable using semiconductor optical amplifier-based interferometric wavelength converters and phase modulators. In addition, the packet data can be simultaneously 2R regenerated through this process. This will greatly enhance the scalability of the network.