Demonstration of a novel optical code-division multiple-access system at 800 megachips per second

A novel optical code-division multiple-access system using Alberta codes and complementary correlation is demonstrated at 800 megachips per second. Completely passive optical multiplexing and demultiplexing is performed throughout the process. Complementary correlation permits code orthogonality because bipolar electrical signals are generated from unipolar optical ones. The correlator is implemented optoelectronically with an array of metal-semiconductor-metal photodiodes. We show that the bit-error-rate performance of the system is not degraded by interfering signals and that zero cross talk is nominally achieved. An unusual property of such systems is confirmed: The bit error rate on a channel can be reduced by the presence of an interfering channel if the two transmitters are not chip asynchronous.