Demonstration of a multiple-access WDM network with subcarrier-multiplexed control channels

A multiple-access WDM network with subcarrier-multiplexed control channels is demonstrated. An acousto-optic tunable filter is used for wavelength selection at a receiving node. Commercially available TAXIChip-based integrated circuits and a μP-based controller are used for control header conversions and processing. With currently available acousto-optic tunable filters, the control header throughput is limited to 2×105 headers per second per node.