A novel optical label swapping technique using erasable optical single-sideband subcarrier label

To support optical multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) technology in an optical network, we have demonstrated subcarrier label swapping in a 96.2-km, three-node experiment, by using optical single-sideband modulation and an optical notch filter. At each intermediate switching node, an old subcarrier label can be suppressed by 25 dB, while the burst-mode 2.5-Gb/s payload experienced only 2-dB power loss.