Towards the realization of multi-km x gbytes/sec bit-parallel WDM single fiber computer links

At the MPPOI ´96 and ´97 Conferences, a new way to dynamically control in-flight pulses by a shepherd pulse to enhance time-alignment of co-propagating pulses in a bit-parallel WDM system for a single-mode fiber was discussed and the first experimental evidence that this pulse shepherding effect can be observed in a commercially available DS (dispersion-shifted) fiber was also presented. Here, we shall discuss the initial results towards the realization of a multi-km×gbytes/sec bit-parallel WDM single fiber link. The distance-speed product of this single fiber link is more than several orders of magnitude higher than that of a fiber ribbon link. The design of a 12 bit-parallel channels WDM system operating at 1 Gbit/sec per channel rate will first be presented. Experimental results for a two channel system operating at that rate will then be given. Also, new computer simulation results on how a large amplitude shepherd pulse may induce pulse compression on all the co-propagating data pulses, thereby improving the shaping of these pulses for a WDM system, will be presented and discussed