Wavelength conversion technologies for WDM network applications

WDM networks make a very effective utilization of the fiber bandwidth and offer flexible interconnections based on wavelength routing. In high capacity, dynamic WDM networks, blocking due to wavelength contention can he reduced by wavelength conversion. Wavelength conversion addresses a number of key issues in WDM networks including transparency, interoperability, and network capacity. Strictly transparent networks offer seamless interconnections with full reconfigurability and interoperability. Wavelength conversion may be the first obstacle in realizing a transparent WDM network. Among numerous wavelength conversion techniques reported to date, only a few techniques offer strict transparency. Optoelectronic conversion (O/E-E/O) techniques achieve limited transparency, yet their mature technologies allow deployment in the near future. The majority of all-optical wavelength conversion techniques also offer limited transparency but they have a potential advantage over the optoelectronic counterpart in realizing lower packaging costs and crosstalk when multiple wavelength array configurations are considered. Wavelength conversion by difference-frequency generation offers a full range of transparency while adding no excess noise to the signal. Recent experiments showed promising results including a spectral inversion and a 90 nm conversion bandwidth. This paper reviews various wavelength conversion techniques, discusses the advantages and shortcomings of each technique, and addresses their implications for transparent networks.