Real-time all-optical performance monitoring using optical bit-shape correlation.

A new optical performance monitoring technique of an optical link in real time is experimentally demonstrated. Rather than comparing bit streams or analyzing eye diagrams, we use a novel optical correlator to compare the shapes of the individual received bits to a standard. The all-optical correlator outputs a pulse whose strength directly measures the degradation of the bit during transmission. Results are produced within three bit periods in real time instead of requiring statistical analysis of long data streams. The correlator is based on a simplified White cell-based true-time delay device.

Experimental evaluation of LED-based solar blind NLOS communication links.

Experimental results are reported demonstrating non-line of sight short-range ultraviolet communication link losses, and performance of photon counting detectors, operating in the solar blind spectrum regime. We employ light emitting diodes with divergent beams, a solar blind filter, and a wide field-of-view detector. Signal and noise statistics are characterized, and receiver performance is demonstrated. The effects of transmitter and receiver elevation angles, separation distance, and path loss are included.

Real-time all-optical quality of service monitoring by use of correlation and a network protocol to exploit it.

We propose to use optical correlation to measure the quality of an optical link in real time, staying completely within the optical domain. We transmit a test signal of 010 and correlate the received (degraded) signal with 010. The strength and shape of the output measure dispersion and attenuation in just 3 bit periods (75 ps at 40 Gb/s) compared with minutes by traditional methods. Correlation becomes feasible owing to the recent development of tapped delay lines with very large numbers of taps. We present simulations showing that this technique can detect attenuation, dispersion, noise, and jitter. With this instantaneous quality-of-service information available to all nodes in a network, new protocols will enable the network to select paths based on quality, allowing service providers to take into account the system's physical impairments when selecting new light paths or when restoring existing ones and to guarantee varying levels of service. We present one such protocol.