Four-bit optical header processing and wavelength routing performance of optical packet switch with optical digital-to-analogue conversion-type header processor

A processing technique for a four-bit optical header in every two-bits is proposed for an optical packet switch with an optical digital-to-analogue conversion-type header processor (wavelength label switch). The processed signals for the first and the latter half two-bits were used for the independent control of the injection currents into two electrodes of an electrically-controllable tunable laser. Wavelength routing performance of an optical packet switch with a four bit optical header processor was successfully achieved according to the wavelength constellation maps stored in a field-programmable gate array.