Optical de-multiplexing device

A method of controlling an output of an optical de-multiplexing device, comprising:

• configuring an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) unit to receive an input optical signal having a plurality of channels, each corresponding to a different wavelength;
• the AWG unit including a plurality of optical waveguides each having different lengths so as to separate the plurality of channels;
• positioning a first array of photodetectors to receive optical data signals output from the plurality of optical waveguides, the first array of photodetectors configured to convert the optical data signals to respective electrical data signals;
• positioning a second array of photodetectors positioned to receive an optical control signal output from the plurality of optical waveguides, the second array of photodetectors configured to convert the optical control signal to an electrical control signal;
• and
• communicatively coupling a switching logic portion to the first and second arrays of photodetectors, the switching logic portion determining, via the electrical control signal, whether output positions of the optical data signals with respect to the first array of photodetectors have been shifted due to a temperature fluctuation at the AWG unit, and correlating the electrical data signals with corresponding channels therewith regardless of whether or not the temperature fluctuation has occurred.