Optical packet switching and routing using inband frequency header labeling

We demonstrate a novel optical packet switching and routing system applicable to future photonic networks. Our solution is based on μs optical packets that have an RF frequency tone as header label and a digital payload transparent to rate and format in the range 1-5 Gb/s. The optical switching nodes are bufferless, with 2×2 topology, and add-drop functionalities. At the network nodes only the RF header is processed, leaving the payload undisturbed. Information between end-users is processed only at end-users locations. Packet switching, routing and contentions are resolved on a packet-by-packet basis in few μS at nodes through electronic logic control circuits, and fast optical switches. This solution is fully compatible with WDM networks.