Abstract: A technique for multicasting an optical frequency channel in a multi-channel optical system is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for multicasting an optical frequency channel in a multi-channel optical system. The method comprises splitting a first optical frequency channel in a pair of adjacent optical frequency channels into a first split optical frequency channel and a second split optical frequency channel. The method also comprises converting the optical frequency of the second split optical frequency channel to the optical frequency of the second optical frequency channel in the pair of adjacent optical frequency channels. The method further comprises selectively directing the first split optical frequency channel and the converted second split optical frequency channel to separate destinations.

Abstract: Techniques for dilating and reverse dilating optical channels in an optical system are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a technique for dilating optical channels may be realized as a method for dilating optical channels in a system having W optical frequencies. The method comprises receiving a plurality of optical channels each operating at a respective one of the W optical frequencies. The method also comprises converting the optical frequency of each of the plurality of optical channels into a respective converted optical frequency defined by ?+?.f, wherein f represents the optical frequency of each of the plurality of optical channels, and wherein ?=±1 and ? are constant for all of the plurality of optical channels. The method further comprises directing each of the plurality of optical channels based at least in part upon the respective converted optical frequency of each of the plurality of optical channels.

Abstract: A technique for routing data within an optical network having a plurality of network nodes is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by receiving data at a first network node via a first optical signal having a first wavelength. The first wavelength corresponds to a first optical frequency, and the first optical frequency is mapped to a first binary representation. The first binary representation is divided into a first plurality of fields, wherein at least one of the first plurality of fields corresponds to a routing label in a first label stack. A top routing label in the first label stack indicates a second network node. Based at least partially upon the top routing label, the data is transmitted from the first network node to the second network node via a second optical signal having a second wavelength. The first wavelength may be either the same as or different from the second wavelength.

Abstract: A technique for interchanging wavelengths in a multi-wavelength system having W wavelength channels is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by selectively directing a pair of adjacent frequency channels corresponding to a respective pair of adjacent wavelength channels based upon a routing algorithm. The frequencies of the selectively directed pair of adjacent frequency channels are then interchanged. The interchanged frequencies of the selectively directed pair of adjacent frequency channels are then selectively shifted based upon a binary representation of each interchanged frequency.

Abstract: A technique for optically converting wavelengths in a multi-wavelength system is disclosed. In one embodiment, wherein the multi-wavelength system has W wavelength channels, wherein W=2N, the technique is realized by selectively directing a received frequency channel corresponding to a respective wavelength channel based upon a predetermined frequency mapping. Then, the frequency of the selectively directed frequency channel is shifted at least once by an amount defined by ±2i?f, wherein ?f is the frequency spacing between adjacent frequency channels, and i=0, 1, . . . N?1.

Abstract: A technique for wave-mixing bulk frequency conversion in a network comprising one or more channels is disclosed that enables cost-effective wavelength-conversion. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a new class of multi-log wave-mixing-cross-connects that are based on arbitrary b×b space-switching elements, where b>2. In such cross-connects, for any light-path, the worst case number of cascaded frequency-conversions is O(logb(FW)), F being the number of fibers. One benefit of the new design may be maximized when W=O(F), b=O(F), and the worst-case number of cascaded conversions is O(1).

Abstract: A technique for selectively frequency translating optical channels in an optical network is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the technique is realized as a method for selectively frequency translating optical channels in a system having W optical frequencies. The method comprises selectively directing an optical channel operating at a respective one of the W optical frequencies based at least in part upon the respective optical frequency of the optical channel. The method also comprises shifting the respective optical frequency of the selectively directed optical channel by an amount defined by ±2i&Dgr;f, wherein &Dgr;f is an optical frequency spacing between adjacent optical channels, and i=0, 1, . . . log2W−1.

Abstract: A technique for wave-mixing frequency translation is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a general construction for multi-log wave-mixing unicast or multicast cross-connects, with b×b space-switching elements, where b≧2. The resulting cross-connects support all-optical frequency-conversion, and they exploit multi-stage wave-mixing bulk frequency-translation In these cross-connects, for any light-path the worst case number of cascaded frequency-conversions is O(logb W), where W is the number of wavelengths per fiber. The wavelength-converter requirements are of between O(F) and O(F logb W), per stage and per plane, where F is the number of fibers.

Abstract: A technique for optically converting wavelengths in a multi-wavelength system is disclosed. In one embodiment, wherein the multi-wavelength system has W wavelength channels, wherein W=2N, the technique is realized by selectively directing a received frequency channel corresponding to a respective wavelength channel based upon a predetermined frequency mapping. Then, the frequency of the selectively directed frequency channel is shifted at least once by an amount defined by ±21&Dgr;f, wherein &Dgr;f is the frequency spacing between adjacent frequency channels, and i=0, 1, . . . N−1.