Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Burst-Mode Wavelength Conversion via a Differentially-Biased SOA-MZI

This article presents a theoretical and experimental analysis of an all optical Burst Mode Wavelength Converter (BMWC), exploiting a deeply saturated differentially biased Semiconductor Optical Amplifier - Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (SOA-MZI) configuration to provide both power equalization and wavelength conversion (WC) for intensity modulated input signals. The device operation and performance have been mathematically analyzed through a novel theoretical framework that considers finite extinction ratio signals entering a deeply saturated differentially biased SOA-MZI. Based on the theoretical model, the BMWC is capable of both power equalization and WC of intensity modulated input pulses with > 9 dB loud/soft ratio. The theoretical results were verified experimentally for 10 Gb/s Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) intensity modulated data, revealing successful power equalization and WC for up to 8 dB loud/soft ratio, almost perfectly matching the theoretical analysis. Its burst-mode WC credentials were then experimentally validated in realistic non-dispersion compensated transmission links with 10Gb/s NRZ data packets propagating over differential distances of 14 km and 25 km SSMF (Standard Single Mode Fiber), providing error free operation with 2.3 dB and 2.2 dB BER improvement respectively. Finally, the BMWC performance was also experimentally evaluated with 20 Gb/s NRZ data packets with up to 5 dB loud/soft ratio for a wavelength span of up to 8.3 nm, revealing for the first-time simultaneous power equalization and WC at 20 Gb/s data rates with NRZ data.