All-optical header processing system based on time-to-wavelength conversion for pure DPSK packets

Presented is a novel asynchronous all-optical header processing system for pure DPSK packets based on time-to-wavelength conversion of the header information that requires only four optical functions independently of the number of headers. Experimental results at 12.5 Gbit/s demonstrate that four DPSK headers are distinguished at four distinct outputs. The system requires low optical power, is highly scalable, and allows for potentially high-speed operation and photonic integration in a single chip.