Ultrafast optoelectronic packet processing for asynchronous, optical-packet-switched networks [Invited]

Feature Issue on Optical Interconnection Networks (OIN). We describe hybrid optical-electrical systems that perform header processing and buffering of ultrafast, asynchronous optical packets. Our systems are enabled by three key, novel devices: an all-optical serial-to-parallel converter, an optical clock-pulse generator, and a photonic parallel-to-serial-converter. These devices allow utilization of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology for compact, highly functional optical packet processing. A simplified node architecture for asynchronous, optical- packet-switched networks is made possible by these systems with all the necessary node functions integrated compactly. We also demonstrate an optical label swapper and a photonic random access memory for 40-Gbit/s, 16-bit, asynchronous optical packets.