SONET technology and applications: a user perspective

The author offers a user perspective on SONET (synchronous optical network) deployment with an emphasis on the potential for advanced applications utilizing an open access bus architecture. It is noted that migration toward flexible transport requires exploiting the increased local intelligence of new network elements while controlling the features which affect their cost. SONET network elements, based on synchronous multiplexing and employing payload pointers, provide new opportunities in fiber equipment design. The incorporation of standard fiberoptic interfaces will allow increased integration of transport functionality and provide inherent economies of scale. It is further observed that the additional support of open architectures can act as SONET deployment drivers, providing a greater range of intelligent advanced services while leading the progress toward ATM (asynchronous transfer mode)