An algorithm for bit-skew correction in byte-wide WDM optical fiber systems

Some objectives for a bit-skew correction system are presented. The properties of optical fiber transmission which allow realization of these objectives are discussed. It is shown that the bit-skew limitation due to chromatic dispersion in byte-wide wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber systems can be corrected automatically with no prior knowledge of the fiber parameters or link length and that the full potential of such systems can be attained with circuitry which is no faster than the bit subchannel data rate. In addition, the absolute wavelengths of the sources are not required as long as the channel spacing is constant