A simple all-optical label detection and swapping technique incorporating a fiber Bragg grating filter

This letter proposes and demonstrates a simple all-optical label detection and swapping technique incorporating a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) filter and a double sideband subcarrier multiplexed (DSB-SCM) signal. The optical datagram consisting of a baseband 2.488-Gb/s data payload and a subcarrier multiplexed 622-Mb/s label are optically processed to separate the two components, and then a new label content is encoded by subsequent optical modulation. The optically separated original label is detected by a square law detector without involving any high-frequency subcarrier circuitry. Bit-error-rate measurements confirm a successful and low-penalty label swapping technique, which maintains optical transparency for the data payload.