Simulation of an all optical time division multiplexing router employing symmetric Mach-Zehnder (SMZ)

Synchronisation is an important and critical issue in high-speed all optical time division multiplexed (OTDM) packet routing and transmission. In this paper we present a technique for separating the clock synchronization pulse from an incoming optical time division multiplexed data packet, based on all-optical switching devices with optical feedback. A 1/spl times/2 OTDM router composed of three symmetric Mach-Zehnders (SMZs) is proposed. Simulation results show that synchronization between clock and data packet is achievable and the packet payload can be successfully switched to the correct destination port.