Integrated 10 Gb/s AWG-based correlator for multi-wavelength optical header recognition

In this paper we experimentally demonstrate a novel optical correlator employing dual integrated Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) in conjunction with variable delay lines. The variable delay lines provide wavelength-dependent time delays and generate a wavelength profile that matches arbitrary bit patterns, whereas the AWGs are used to demultiplex and multiplex the wavelength components of the multi-wavelength header bit pattern. The recognition of 4-bit optical patterns at different wavelengths is experimentally demonstrated at 10 Gb/s by showing that the correlator produces an autocorrelation waveform of high peak whenever the input bit pattern matches the wavelengths profile, and a low-amplitude cross-correlation function otherwise.