Block multiplexing codes for optical ladder network correlators

An approach for generating families of codes for the optical ladder network is described. By introducing the concept of block multiplexing equivalence is established between the delays and the set of codes enabling many new codes to be developed. Small and large sets of block multiplexing codes are constructed, their crosscorrelation spectra are calculated and compared with that of the prime codes and very efficient encoder for code generation is proposed. While supporting fewer simultaneous users both families comprise more codes than the prime code set and require significantly less hardware for generation.