2/sup n/ prime-sequence codes and coding architecture for optical code-division multiple-access

Recent study shows that optical code-division multiple-access (CDMA) networks cannot be evaluated or designed by only considering the performance (i.e., correlation properties) of the optical pseudo-orthogonal codes selected. The structures of optical encoders and decoders are another important factors to consider and are needed to coordinate with the selected optical codes as much as possible. A special family of 2/sup n/ codes, so-called 2/sup n/ prime-sequence codes, is constructed. A general theorem on the cardinality of the new codes is provided. The properties and performance of the codes are also studied. Since these codes pose the algebraic properties of both prime-sequence and 2/sup n/ codes, new optical encoding and decoding structures are designed to optimize the system parameters (e.g., power budget and cost) of these optical CDMA networks. This new configuration is particularly attractive for ultrafast optical processing and waveguide implementation for tile future high-capacity, low-loss, all-optical CDMA networks.