Optically transparent 10 gigabit Ethernet networks for fiber-to-the-desk application

Two novel architectures for optically transparent local area/access networks are presented. The networks are based on multimode optical fibers and passive multimode optical components, short wavelength lasers and detectors and they support both gigabit Ethernet and 10 gigabit Ethernet protocols. The novelty of the networks is in the fact that, for the first time, it is shown how a passive star-shaped network can accommodate gigabit Ethernet protocols. We expect that the implementation costs of the presented networks will be minimized in fiber-to-the-desk applications.