All-optical CDMA-based packet-switching element for ATM networks

An all-optical ATM (packet) switch that utilizes Fiber-Optic Code Division Multiple Access (FO-CDMA) to achieve fast, asynchronous switching of ATM cells is proposed. An 8 port, OC-12 configuration is chosen for a feasibility study and simulations are used to characterize its performance with respect to two metrics -- cell loss ratio and average latency. The significant features of the proposed architecture include high switch throughput, scaleability and multicast-capable switching.