Defragmentation and grooming on 85.4 Gb/s by simultaneous format and wavelength conversion in an integrated quad SOA-MZI

Abstract

In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate simultaneous format and wavelength conversion of multiple fragmented signals suitable for gridless and multi-granular networks. Conversion of NRZ and large-RZ to short-RZ-OOK by means of a single commercial Quad SOA-MZI is demonstrated for grooming 85.4 Gb/s frame. The output RZ-OOK signal is suitable for further tributary multiplexing onto a 170.8 Gb/s OTDM stream. The resultant OTDM channel is transmitted over a 110-km dark fiber link.