Demonstration of an all-optical data format transparent WDM-to-TDM network node with extinction ratio enhancement for reconfigurable WDM networks

Summary form only given. We demonstrate an error-free and nearly penalty-free all-optical WDM-to-TDM node that incorporates the useful functions of: (1) data format transparency; (2) extinction ratio enhancement; (3) time multiplexing; and (4) wavelength shifting, to convert two WDM channels into one high-speed TDM signal. We demonstrate this node by converting two 1-Gbit/s NRZ WDM channels at 1552 and 1548 nm into one 20-Gbit/s TDM signal at 1558-nm, while incurring only a 0.2-dB power penalty. This node may be a key building block for fully functional, dynamically reconfigurable WDM networks, which require transparency and cascadability.