Packet-format and network-traffic transparent optical signal processing

In this paper, we demonstrate optical transparency in packet formatting and network traffic offered by all-optical switching devices. Exploiting the bitwise processing capabilities of these "optical transistors," simple optical circuits are designed verifying the independency to packet length, synchronization and packet-to-packet power fluctuations. Devices with these attributes are key elements for achieving network flexibility, fine granularity and efficient bandwidth-on-demand use. To this end, a header/payload separation circuit operating with IP-like packets, a clock and data recovery circuit handling asynchronous packets and a burst-mode receiver for bursty traffic are presented. These network subsystems can find application in future high capacity data-centric photonic packet switched networks.