Optical signal processing for local-access networks

A number of optical signal processing functions that might be potentially important for future lightwave communication networks are described. As an example, an optical network with a distribution capacity of 100 HDTV channels is considered, and it is shown how such a network can be implemented using the following components: frequency converters, transmitter banks, modified WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) demultiplexers, and tunable optical receivers. Also discussed is the hardware implementation of these components using three basic building blocks: tunable amplifiers/filters; phase locked loops; and comb generators. The nature of optical signal processing needed in the future is addressed.<>