Wavelength planning for optical frequency division multiplexing systems in the IBCN

Optical frequency multiplexing (OFM) techniques provide a powerful and attractive means of utilising the fibre bandwidth available on passive optical network systems for applications such as the RACE integrated broadband communication network (IBCN). To maximise future enhancement and interworking potential, early attention must be given to planning the way in which the available bandwidth is partitioned and utilised, taking into account technical rationale and economic considerations. A number of RACE projects have been active in the development of the technologies for OFM and have therefore also been involved in the planning issues. Through the system of RACE technical groups, proposals for frequency/wavelength allocation schemes have been developed. The authors briefly cover some of these proposals, and assess the need for frequency referencing and control