Combining code division multiplexing and coherence multiplexing for private communications in optical fiber multiple access networks

An optical fiber multiple access network based on the combination of Code Division Multiplexing and Coherence Multiplexing is presented. Self-homodyne detection is employed and bipolar codes are used. This scheme offers high security in communication and is suggested for network applications where security is of primary interest. Due to the combination of the two multiplexing schemes, the network can support a larger number of addresses than each multiplexing scheme individually with the number of active users being limited to that of a classical Coherence Multiplexing system. The network is described theoretically and demonstrated experimentally.