Nortel Networks Corporation

Prasad Kodaypak

Delfin Y Montuno

Abel Clement Dasylva

Zhonghui Yao

Pia Sindile

Guoqiang G Q Wang

A technique for wave-mixing bulk frequency conversion in a network comprising one or more channels is disclosed that enables cost-effective wavelength-conversion. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a new class of multi-log wave-mixing-cross-connects that are based on arbitrary b&times;b space-switching elements, where b>2. In such cross-connects, for any light-path, the worst case number of cascaded frequency-conversions is O(log (FW)), F being the number of fibers. One benefit of the new design may be maximized when W&equals;O(F), b&equals;O(F), and the worst-case number of cascaded conversions is O(1).

Technique and apparatus for frequency conversion in an optical network

A technique for selectively frequency translating optical channels in an optical network is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the technique is realized as a method for selectively frequency translating optical channels in a system having W optical frequencies. The method comprises selectively directing an optical channel operating at a respective one of the W optical frequencies based at least in part upon the respective optical frequency of the optical channel. The method also comprises shifting the respective optical frequency of the selectively directed optical channel by an amount defined by &plusmn;2 &Dgr;f, wherein &Dgr;f is an optical frequency spacing between adjacent optical channels, and i&equals;0, 1, . . . log W&minus;1.

Technique for selectively frequency translating optical channels in an optical network

A technique for wave-mixing frequency translation is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a general construction for multi-log wave-mixing unicast or multicast cross-connects, with b&times;b space-switching elements, where b&gE;2. The resulting cross-connects support all-optical frequency-conversion, and they exploit multi-stage wave-mixing bulk frequency-translation In these cross-connects, for any light-path the worst case number of cascaded frequency-conversions is O(log W), where W is the number of wavelengths per fiber. The wavelength-converter requirements are of between O(F) and O(F log W), per stage and per plane, where F is the number of fibers.

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Nepean, Canada

Prasad Kodaypak