A theoretical analysis of the bit error rate (BER) in an optical clock extraction system using compact disk self-pulsating laser diodes (SPLDs) is performed. The dependence of the BER on the power of the incoming received data signal and on the detuning between the applied and free running SPLD pulse repetition frequencies is analysed. For a fixed detuning an optimum value of the input signal power at which the system BER is minimum is obtained. This minimum is due to the appearance of oscillations of the relative phase between the input and output signals at high values of the input power. An optimum value of the detuning at which the system BER is minimized is then identified. The influence of fluctuations of the input signal and data encoding on the system BER is also analysed.

Financial support has been provided by EU project CHRX-CT94-0594. The work of A. Valle and L. Pesquera was partially supported by CICYT Spain, Project TIC 98-0418-CO5-01. The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the BritishCouncil/Forbait Joint Research Scheme and the Acciones Integradas Hispano-Britanicas No. HB1997-0214.

Peer reviewed