Performance analysis of multiple subcarrier encoding of packet headers in quasi-all-optical WDM networks

The problem of encoding and on-the-fly decoding of packet headers in all-optical WDM networks can be dealt with using multiple subcarrier signaling (MSS). We present the main results of the analysis of the transmissive performance of this technique. Packet data and header bit error rate expressions are given as a function of the relevant network parameters, (number of WDM channels, data rate, optical amplification characteristics, packet length, etc.). As an example, we evaluate the performance of a star WDM-MSS network, which shows a potential for supporting tens to hundreds of nodes at data rates ranging from hundreds of Mbit/s to several Gbit/s.<>