Optical clock-pulse-train generator for processing preamble-free asynchronous optical packets

An optical clock-pulse-train generator (OCPTG) for processing asynchronous arbitrary-length optical packets with no preamble is developed. The OCPTG consists of a fiber-loop-based optical pulse-train generator (PTG) and an optical clock-pulse generator that, for every input asynchronous optical packet, generates a single, synchronized optical pulse which is fed to the PTG. Generation of an optical clock-pulse-train with stable pulse energy, precise repetition rate, and duration matching the input packet is achieved for variable-length optical packets. The OCPTG and an all-optical demultiplexer combined demonstrate error-free demultiplexing of a 10-Gb/s asynchronous optical packet stream