UWB Pulse Generation and Distribution Using a NOLM Based Optical Switch

An approach is proposed in this paper to generate ultra-wideband (UWB) pulses based on cross-phase modulation (XPM) effects in nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). The NOLM can be considered as an optical switch which is controlled by pump to generate positive and negative Gaussian pulses, which are then delayed by SMF and combined to generate both Gaussian monocycle and doublet pulses. These two pulse shapes can be switched at a high speed by controlling the on-off of one of the probe. In addition, the SMF acting as a chromatic dispersion media in generating the UWB pulses can also be used to distribute the UWB signals from the central station (CS) to remote access points (AP). Different distance between CS and remote APs has no effects on the generated UWB pulses by adopting a wavelength tunable laser as probe.