We examine the properties and applications of a general class of multi-wavelength optical code-division multiple access codes in high-speed optical local area networks. We demonstrate that multiple pulse per row codes with optimum threshold detection admit maximization of the number of simultaneous users and spectral efficiency. The code design problem is also greatly simplified when the optimum threshold detection is employed. Based on our results, we propose a simple and low-cost receiver to enable true real-time network optimization.

Temporal skewing, a hitherto unexamined effect of chromatic dispersion on multiwavelength optical code-division multiple-access (MW-O-CDMA) systems, is explored through simulation of realistic networks. In addition, two novel methods for combating the deleterious effects of temporal skewing are proposed: optimum threshold detection and code-pattern preskewing. It is shown that for a practical system configuration with optimum threshold detection, MW-O-CDMA networks can maintain design bit error rate performance within an order of magnitude for link lengths of up to approximately 500 m. Our results show that the effect merits careful attention in the design and realization of any MW-O-CDMA system based on two-dimensional codes. Code pattern preskewing presents the possibility of completely eradicating the impact of temporal skewing.

We combine forward error correction and dynamic threshold optimization to achieve a dramatic increase in the spectrum utilization of multi-wavelength optical code division multiple access (MW-OCDMA) local area networks.