Optical Label Processing Techniques for Intelligent Forwarding of Packets in All-Optical Packet Switched Networks

In this chapter, the authors review several optical label processing techniques providing a comparison based on the potential for each technique to allow for implementation of a scalable and low latency optical packet switching cross-connect node. They present and demonstrate an optical packet switch sub-system employing in-band labeling to allow for transparent forwarding of multi-wavelength packets with multiple data formats at multiple data bit-rates. The optical packet switching sub-system employs a scalable, asynchronous, and low latency label processor. Experimental results are provided that confirm the operation of the label processor in optical packet switching system testbeds. Moreover, the authors discuss applications of the optical packet switching node based on optical label processor and the potential to allow the implementation of intelligent systems for optimal routing of the packets in the optical domain.