Investigations with All-Optical Binary to Gray Code Converter at 50 Gbps Data Rate

This article proposed an all-digital code converter schematic. It converts input binary code into gray code output with an operating data rate of 50 Gbps. The design is based on exploiting nonlinear attributes with semiconductor optical amplifier, which is otherwise contemplated as cons if utilized as an amplifier. It is realized with a semiconductor optical amplifier placed symmetrically with both arms of Mach–Zehnder interferometer, and phase modulation occurs amid wings of the Mach–Zehnder structure. Accordingly, numerical simulations have been executed for the applied data inputs. Consequent gray code output patterns have been verified that resemble with theoretical digital logical outcome. Evaluations with design have illustrated impressive optical performance metric extinction factor beyond 10 dB for the imperative constituents and constraints, with semiconductor optical amplifier confine factor beyond 0.3, pump current of 0.4 A, active length of 0.05 mm, and with modulator chirp factor and on–off ratio beyond 0.5 and 10 dB, respectively. Accordingly, this investigation could be an assist for the impending optical computing complex networks for the contemporary digital globe, requiring code conversion as one of the imperative practices.