Emerging optical code-division multiple access communication systems

All-optical systems, which perform signal processing functions optically so that the signal conversion from optical to electrical is done only when desired, are considered. Three such schemes are discussed, namely, fiber-optic code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems, neuromorphic CDMA systems, and ultrashort-light-pulse CDMA systems. Fiber-optic CDMA systems in which incoherent optical signal processing techniques are used to establish optical CDMA systems are first examined. In particular, a novel class of sequences for incoherent fiber-optic CDMA systems, called optical orthogonal codes, are discussed. The codes are then applied to neuromorphic optical systems, and various applications of the networks are examined. Recent experiments that demonstrate the ability to encode and decode extremely fast, femtosecond optical pulses and that suggest the possibility of ultrahigh-speed CDMA systems based on ultrashort light pulses are described.<>