Trends in Optical Communication Systems

Less than a decade of research and development has taken glass-fiber optical communication systems from first experiments in the laboratory to complete trial systems already installed in the field and carrying regular telecommunication traffic now. A wide range of new technologies has had to be developed. Challenges in circuit design have emerged as well. Systems are being evaluated for use in the public telecommunications network as well as for use in other communications applications. New systems configurations are being conceived. At the same time, new options for systems of still higher performance appear on the horizon.