Demonstration of format free wavelength conversion for optical networks

Wavelength converters play a crucial role in wavelength division multiplexing based optical networks. Presence of vast variety of signal formats makes independency of signal format an important requirement for a network. In this paper, format independency of a proposed method, which is based on an optical single side-band modulator (OSSB) and an array waveguide grating is experimentally confirmed. It is demonstrated that proposed method can up-and-down convert the wavelength of the QPSK modulated signal up to 75 GHz by three times conversion in the OSSB modulator, modulated at 25 GHz. Moreover, it is also confirmed that the spectral inversion does not occur in proposed method, by comparing with four wave mixing wavelength conversion method.