FSK with direct detection in optical multiple-access FDM networks

High-performance optical data networks of the future may interconnect hundreds of users at gigabit rates for a reasonable cost. A novel approach is described that utilizes a passive star coupler for distribution, a multiplicity of frequency-shift keyed (FSK) tunable lasers to provide a frequency division multiplexed (FDM) network, and a tunable optical fiber Fabry-Perot filter to select the channels and convert the FSK signal to ASK (amplitude-shift keying) for direct detection. The design of high-speed FDM-FSK direct detection networks and the performance of critical devices, such as tunable FM lasers, tunable filters, integrated star couplers, and optical amplifiers, are reviewed and discussed