Perfectly synchronized bit-parallel WDM data transmission over a single optical fiber

Abstract

We have proposed and demonstrated a novel bit-level synchronization technique by perfectly synchronizing all bit-parallel WDM data transmitted over a 27.5 km single fiber. By sampling temporally skewed bit-parallel WDM data at a common overlapping range with an all optical switch (TOAD), the bit-parallel WDM channels emerge aligned exactly in time. Error free transmission on all WDM channels was achieved. The working range, where TOAD samples all overlapping bit-parallel WDM channels, is 220 ps for our particular experimental setup. For transmissions where the time skew exceeds 140 ps, traditional dispersion compensation techniques must be employed to contain the time-skew within 220 ps and to transmit longer distances.