Fiber-Optic Networks: Future Trends

Abstract

This paper describes approaches towards building high-speed terabit per second fiber-optic communication networks capable of supporting several hundreds of nodes, with each node being provided bandwidths of the order of 1 Gb/s.

We describe network architectures using wavelength division multiplexing, where the terabit per second capacity is achieved by having many communication channels (perhaps a few hundred), each operated at a modest bit rate at a different optical wavelength in the Tiber.

These networks can be classified into two categories: broadcast-and-select networks, and switched networks. We can also classify these networks as single-hop or multihop. We discuss the network architecture, component needs, and protocol issues associated with each category, and speculate about future trends in lightwave networks.

Indexing terms:

• Optical networks
• Fiber optics
• Computer networks
• Future trends