All-optical packet header recognition integrated optic chip

Here, we present a new concept and initial design for an integrated optic chip that performs all necessary optical functions for an array of optical correlators, reducing fabrication cost and complexity by creating the array and all splitters in one step and requiring the writing of only a single Bragg grating. Optical packet header recognition has previously been demonstrated by several approaches using optical correlators. Recent advances show that as much as 90 % of the traffic entering an IP router can be successfully forwarded by as few as 100 headers, which correspond to the most popular network destinations. The delay of an "electronic bottleneck" is eliminated by using an all-optical switch, with many functionalities implemented.