Intelligent Systems Engineering: Optical network applications

Some recent applications of methods from Intelligent Systems Engineering (ISE) to key research problem areas in optical networking are reviewed. A brief introduction to ISE for a general technical audience is given, focusing on the methods that will appear in the applications considered. Progress in generic network design and optimization techniques applicable to the optical domain is outlined, after which specific examples are described. In particular, the use of fuzzy logic in optical CDMA, the employment of genetic algorithms to optimize indoor optical wireless transmission, the use of artificial neural networks for predistortion in radio over fiber and the determination of optimum routes in optical core networks are presented. The paper concludes with a discussion of the future directions for ISE in optical networking.