Abstract

Future all-optically switched networks may require the rapid reading of optical headers to make routing decisions. In many instances, it may be necessary to read only a few bits in the header in order to route the data stream towards an appropriate output port. Although electronic techniques are available for reading indivial bits at lower bit rates (i.e., <10 Gbit/s), all-optical methods are required that can readily “read” a series of header bits on-the-fly and compare them to a code in a reconfigurable optical look-up table.

© 2002 Optical Society of America