An all-optical OCDMA encoder with simultaneous signal regeneration based on cross-gain modulation in semiconductor optical amplifiers

A new all-optical technique to convert on-off keying (OOK) signals into incoherently optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) signals is proposed and investigated. The technique is based on two stages of cross-gain modulation effect in semiconductor optical amplifiers. The output encoded signal presents an improved optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) and may be generated at the same wavelength as the input signal. Simulation results indicate that OSNR and extinction ratio improvements higher than 20 and 8 dB are, respectively, achievable.