Encoder/decoder on planar lightwave circuit for time-spreading/wavelength-hopping optical CDMA

We have realized a novel optical encoder/decoder on a PLC for time-spreading/wavelength-hopping OCDMA. It was composed of an AWG and sixteen delay lines, and enabled us to assign a code to signals much more easily and flexibly than with previously demonstrated devices. We successfully carried out experiments to confirm its validity. The device has other uses including label generation and recognition in photonic routing networks, and will play an important role in OCDMA and optical signal processing.