SELF-ROUTING OPTICAL SWITCH WITH OPTICAL PROCESSING.

A self-routing integrated-optic switch with optical processing is presented and experimentally demonstrated. The self-routing technique is based on encoding each bit with its destination address, using code-division multiple access (CDMA). Each bit is replaced by a pseudo-orthogonal CDMA sequence corresponding to the destination address. At each switching node, the received CDMA sequence is optically correlated with a stored destination sequence, producing the appropriate switching decision for each bit. Encoded optical data entering the switch are distributed to both the switch and an optical routing controller. At the controller, individual data bits are correlated with a predetermined sequence using a fiber-optic delay-line transversal filter. Correct correlation of data with the stored sequence results in an autocorrelation peak which activates the switch (pass state). Incorrect correlation results in a cross-correlation function, leaving the switch closed (block state).