Passive virtual optical networking technique using a cyclic N/spl times/N arrayed waveguide grating for multiple multihop ring networks

An arrayed waveguide grating (AWG)-based passive virtual optical networking technique is proposed to flexibly implement multiple multihop optical ring networks over a star-shaped access or in-building optical cable layout. A cyclic N/spl times/N AWG in a central passive hub optically links each of N nodes to more than one other node that follows it in a cyclic order. We experimentally confirmed the node connectivity and evaluated optical link performance at 2.5-Gb/s data rate.