Title :
What can optics do for networks?
Author_Institution :
AT&T Bell Lab., Holmdel, NJ, USA
Abstract :
Summary form only given. The author considers how the application of photonics could increase throughput by one or two orders of magnitude above the approximately 100 Mb/s provided by current fiber-based packet networks. He examines two approaches. One is to increase concurrency, i.e., the number of messages flowing simultaneously in a network, by packing the fiber with multiplexed messages from many transmitters operating simultaneously. The use of wavelength-division multiaccess for this purpose is examined. Another important development in this direction, namely, the improved performance and reliability of optical amplifiers, is also discussed. The other approach to increasing throughput is photonic switching. The factors affecting the value of photonics in packet switching are examined.<>
Keywords :
frequency division multiple access; optical links; optical switches; packet switching; telecommunication networks; concurrency; metropolitan area networks; multiplexed messages; networks; optical amplifiers; optics; packet switching; photonic switching; photonics; reliability; wavelength-division multiaccess; Concurrent computing; Optical amplifiers; Optical fiber networks; Optical packet switching; Optical transmitters; Photonics; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission; Telecommunication network reliability; Throughput;
Conference_Titel :
Optical Multiple Access Networks, 1990. Conference Digest. LEOS Summer Topical on
Conference_Location :
Monterey, CA, USA
DOI :
10.1109/OMAN.1990.205414
