Packet labeling technique using electronic code-division multiple-access for WDM packet-based access networks

We propose and experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of a packet labeling technique using electronic code-division multiple-access for a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) packet-based access network, whereby each wavelength is assigned a unique electronic code-based label on a radio-frequency subcarrier. Such a technique allows individual wavelength channels to be electronically identified without requiring the use of a WDM demultiplexer. We experimentally demonstrate this technique with two WDM channels each with 1.25-Gb/s payload data and 10-Mb/s header coded onto an electronic code at 160 Mb/s. The experimental results and theoretical analysis show that this technique has the potential to support large numbers of WDM channels.