A delay line receiver architecture for all-optical networks

Resource contention in packet switched all-optical networks is being addressed in this paper through the combined use of fiber delay lines and 2×2 space photonic switches. With this basic approach, also known as Quadro or switched fiber delay lines (SDL), the solution efficiency is linked to its storage capacity, determined by the combined length of the fiber delay lines. In the past, this capacity was given by the number of 2×2 photonic switches used, i.e., the number of stages in the receiver, which limited the solution by cost, mainly determined by the switch component, and by the signal power loss and crosstalk introduced by each switch. This work presents and analyzes the use of “multibuffer” fiber delay lines, in Quadro, so termed since in it multiple packets are allowed to be concurrently stored (propagated) on each delay line. In this way the total storage capacity is increased, while the proposed design utilizing novel switch control is shown to significantly improve receiver and network performance, without increasing the number of the 6×2 space photonic switches in the system, i.e., its cost