An all-optical network architecture

A novel photonic network, MATRIX (for multi-wavelength all-optical transparent information exchange), is proposed in this paper. The all-optical multihop network supports wavelength continuity and provides a very high network capacity. Spatial reuse of wavelengths as well as the multiplicity of fibers in optical fiber cables are exploited and enable the interconnection of N² network nodes with merely N wavelengths. The node structure is simple since neither tunable devices nor wavelength converters are required. Packets are routed through the network by photonic fast packet switching as well as by wavelength and experience a maximum hop number of two. Multiple optical paths between any pair of nodes provide a good network survivability