OOK-to-QPSK modulation-format conversion based on two gain-transparent SOAs

In this paper, the system scheme of on–off keying (OOK) to quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) format conversion is proposed, which is based on two gain-transparent semiconductor optical amplifiers (GT-SOA). GT-SOA is used as a simple all-optical phase modulator, which is no effects of cross gain modulation and four-wave mixing existing in conventional SOA. The assistant light is used to speed up the SOA carrier recovery time. The principles of OOK to QPSK format conversion are expounded. The influences of the assistant light power and signal light power on the conversions are numerically analyzed. The OOK signal can still be exactly converted to the QPSK signal with the power of OOK signal being changed within a certain range.