Multiwavelength and Multiport Hitless Wavelength-Selective Switch Using Series-Coupled Microring Resonators

We demonstrate the basic elements of a full matrix optical switching circuit using a hitless wavelength-selective switch (WSS). It is a multiwavelength channel-selective switch consisting of cascaded hitless WSS, and a multiport switch. These switching elements are based on the individual thermooptic tuning of double series-coupled microring resonators, and can switch arbitrary wavelength channels without blocking other wavelength channels during tuning. The fundamental switching operations, such as four switching states from a three-wavelength selection to a zero-wavelength selection and multiport switching characteristics, are successfully demonstrated     

Dense wavelength division multiplexing networks: principles andapplications

The very broad bandwidth of low-loss optical transmission in a single-mode fiber and the recent improvements in single-frequency tunable lasers have stimulated significant advances in dense wavelength division multiplexed optical networks. This technology, including wavelength-sensitive optical switching and routing elements and passive optical elements, has made it possible to consider the use of wavelength as another dimension, in addition to time and space, in network and switch design. The independence of optical signals at different wavelengths makes this a natural choice for multiple-access networks, for applications which benefit from shared transmission media, and for networks in which very large throughputs are required. Recent progress in multiwavelength networks are reviewed, some of the limitations which affect the performance of such networks are discussed, and examples of several network and switch proposals based on these ideas are presented. Discussed also are critical technologies that are essential to progress in this field     

A generalized framework for analyzing time-space switched opticalnetworks

The advances in photonic switching have paved the way for realizing all-optical time switched networks. The current technology of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) offers bandwidth granularity that matches peak electronic transmission speed by dividing the fiber bandwidth into multiple wavelengths. However, the bandwidth of a single wavelength is too large for certain traffic. Time division multiplexing (TDM) allows multiple traffic streams to share the bandwidth of a wavelength efficiently. While introducing wavelength converters and time slot interchangers to improve network blocking performance, it is often of interest to know the incremental benefits offered by every additional stage of switching. As all-optical networks in the future are expected to employ heterogeneous switching architectures, it is necessary to have a generalized network model that allows the study of such networks under a unified framework. A network model, called the trunk switched network (TSN), is proposed to facilitate the modeling and analysis of such networks. An analytical model for evaluating the blocking performance of a class of TSNs is also developed. With the proposed framework, it is shown that a significant performance improvement can be obtained with a time-space switch with no wavelength conversion in multiwavelength TDM switched networks. The framework is also extended to analyze the blocking performance of multicast tree establishment in optical networks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that provides an analytical model for evaluating the blocking performance for tree establishment in an optical network. The analytical model allows a comparison between the performance of various multicast tree construction algorithms and the effects of different switch architectures     

Wavelength switching components for future photonic networks

This article provides a review of integrated laser and semiconductor optical amplifier components that have been configured to provide a variety of all-optical functions such as wavelength conversion, routing, signal regeneration, and add-drop multiplexing. The components have been devised so that they can be reliably and simply used within a multiwavelength network. The article introduces the components by outlining the current leading techniques for wavelength conversion using SOAs, namely by way of cross-gain modulation, cross-phase modulation, and four-wave mixing. The integrated SOA distributed feedback laser is then shown to provide excellent regeneration properties, not only overcoming fiber dispersion limitations but also polarization mode dispersion. Finally, the devices are shown to make possible a regenerative wavelength switching node where routing is achieved using a tunable laser to provide regenerative wavelength conversion followed by an arrayed waveguide router. This switch shows promise for use in future photonic packet switching architectures     

Simultaneous fast wavelength switching and intensity modulationusing a tunable DBR laser

The use of a three-section distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser to switch wavelengths rapidly and simultaneously transmit data by intensity modulation is discussed. This combination simulates the operation of a tunable transmitter in a multiwavelength packet switch. In this type of switch, each output port is tuned to receive data on a unique, fixed wavelength; packets are routed from input ports to the appropriate output ports by wavelength addressing. In each transmission cycle, the input port transmitter tunes to the wavelength associated with the intended output port and subsequently broadcasts the data packet. Limitations on various system parameters, such as the number of allowed channels, the wavelength switching times, and packet lengths (residency times), as determined by thermally-induced wavelength drifts are also discussed. The advantages of using a single device for both fast wavelength switching and direct data modulation are significant: the elimination of external modulators improves both the simplicity of the implementation and the available power budget     

Multichannel operation of an integrated acoustooptic wavelengthrouting switch for WDM systems

Polarization independent acousto-optic tunable filters (PIAOTF's) can operate as transparent wavelength-selective crossconnects to route signals in wavelength division multiplexed optical networks. In this paper, a new low power PIAOTF is characterized as a switch in multiwavelength operation, using four equally spaced lightwave signals with wavelengths between 1546 nm and 1558 nm. Interchannel interference due to sidelobe excitation is lower than -11 dB for single wavelength switching and is equal to -6 dB in the extreme case of simultaneous switching of all wavelength channels. Sources of interport and interchannel crosstalk for single and multiple wavelength switching are identified     

Angle-tuned etalon filters for optical channel selection in highdensity wavelength division multiplexed systems

Applications are discussed for angle-tuned in-line Fabry-Perot etalons for optical channel selection in a high-density wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) direct-detection fiber system. A typical WDM application (LAMBDANET type) was described. Different demultiplexing techniques and their relative advantages were considered. Design guidelines are given for determining the etalon parameters, the minimum channel spacing and the maximum number of channels for a single etalon and multiple etalons, including stacked identical etalons and stacked nonidentical etalons. Experimental results on using these etalons for optical channel tuning in a multiwavelength WDM optical communication system are presented     

光子集成技术在波分多路系统的应用

本文介绍光子学的一种新趋向，即光子集成（ＰＩＣ）技术在波分多路（ＷＤＭ）光纤通信系统应用的初步尝试。在说明ＷＤＭ系统在高速光纤通信网的重要性和ＰＩＣ技术在ＷＤＭ系统应用的必要性之后，本文列举Ｂｅｌｌｃａｒｅ最近研制ＰＩＣ／ＷＤＭ取得初步成功的两个例子：一是多路光载波的ＭＱＷ／ＤＦＢ激光管阵列，用于ＷＤＭ发送机；二是ＩｎＰ平面反射光栅合波／分波器，有助于ＷＤＭ网中各种功能器件的集成。     

用MEMS光开关实现高性能光互连网络

建立了1Gbps传输结构的高性能光互连网络，来提高计算机群系统的网络性能。它利用微机电系统(MEMS)光开关和PCI总线全带宽网络接口卡构成光互连链路。全带宽PCI接口卡总线峰值传输速率为132Mbytes／s，光信号传输速率可达1Gbps以上。用MEMS制做的全光开关减少了光—电之间的转换，提供的开关方式与数据的波长、速率和信号格式无关。因而，利用这种网络结构，可以最大限度地减少网络延迟和网络通信开销，极大地提升了机群系统的总体性能。     

Connection management for multiwavelength optical networking

This paper describes the connection management research done by the Network Control and Management (NC&M) task force under the multiwavelength optical networking (MONET) program. MONET is sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) the US Government Department of Defense, with participation from Bellcore, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, several government agencies, and regional Bell operating companies. MONET's vision is to develop a flexible reliable high-capacity high-performance cost-effective national optical network based on multiwavelength fiber optic technology. As an important component in realizing this vision, the MONET program includes the architecture and design of a prototype network control and management system for MONET's reconfigurable wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) all-optical network. The primary objectives of the prototype research work are to develop the architecture and framework for managing national-scale transparent reconfigurable WDM optical networks and to demonstrate the feasibility of the NC&M prototype system in a field experiment network in Washington, DC. This prototype system allows the program participants to conduct experiments and gain experience in the management and operations of reconfigurable optical networks. This paper describes the connection management aspects of the prototype system, addressing issues such as the management architecture, information model, and provisioning algorithms of the prototype management system     

The design of a European optical network

This paper presents a number of design issues under consideration in the development of an all-optical network linking major centers in Europe. The proposed network is characterized by spanning a large geographical area, the diameter is in excess of 3000 km, but with a relatively small number of nodes (20). The study combines aspects of two optical network projects funded by the European Commission: COST 239-ultra-high capacity optical transmission networks and RACE 2028: multiwavelength transport network. The network uses multiwavelength technology and combines wavelength selection and space switching to achieve signal routing. One of the objectives of the study is to understand the extent to which transparency can be achieved in such a large network. For example the effect of using amplifiers to achieve transparency is to provide extremely long fiber paths in which non-linear effects may become significant and effectively limit the number of wavelengths that can be employed; this limit may be at conflict with the number of wavelengths required from a traffic viewpoint. The paper therefore considers capacity requirements, transmission limitations and node and network architecture issues. It is concluded that partitioning of the network may be necessary to maximize transparency and suggestions are made as to how this might be achieved     

Multiple-star wavelength-router network and its protection strategy

A wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) multiple-star network and its accompanying path and router protection strategies are proposed for interconnecting N major switch nodes in a national-scale telecommunications network. For a single path failure and uniform traffic matrix, fiber requirements are shown to be less than for a WDM ADM ring, while providing greater resilience to multiple path failures. “Adding” and “dropping” only whole wavelength channels between node pairs is found to lead to severe design instabilities and overinvestment in fiber, and time-sharing of wavelength channels is recommended to minimize fiber quantities. A star network capable of interconnecting N=22 switch nodes and an all-optical path protection switching method are verified experimentally, using a 16-channel 2,5-Gbit/s WDM system and a 22×22-port bulk-optics wavelength multiplexer as the hub router. Protection switching speeds within 50 ms are projected for a national-scale network     

光子交换技术的前景简述

本文首先指出光纤通信向全光网推进的趋向，认真研究光子交换技术的必要性。其后简单说明光子交换有关的波分多路／波分多址系统，空分交换器，交叉连接结点，波长路由器和波长转换器，光电子集成／光子集成技术。最后给出作者个人见解的结论．     

Semiconductor devices in photonic switching

Three types of photonic switching networks have been proposed, namely, optical space-division switching, optical wavelength-division switching. Optional function devices required for each switching network are as follows: optical switch matrix for space-division switching; optical memory and optical write/read gate for time-division switching; and tunable wavelength filter and wavelength converter for wavelength-division switching. Recent progress in semiconductor functional devices such as modulators, switching devices, bistable devices, and wavelength control devices, which would be key devices to build switching networks, is reviewed     

A coherent photonic wavelength-division switching system forbroad-band networks

A coherent photonic wavelength-division (WD) switching system, utilizing a coherent wavelength switch (λ switch), is proposed. In the proposed coherent λ switch, the tunable wavelength filter function is accomplished using coherent optical detection with a wavelength tunable local oscillator. The coherent photonic WD switching system has the following features; (1) low crosstalk switching for dense WDM signal, and (2) large line capacity capability. Design considerations show that 32 wavelength division channels can be available with a coherent λ switch. It is also shown that a broadband metropolitan-area-network with over 1000 line capacity is possible, using a multistage connection in the coherent λ switches. The switching function of the coherent λ switch is demonstrated in a two-channel wavelength-synchronized switching experiment, using 8-GHz-spaced, 280-Mb/s optical FSK signals     

Lighting fibers in a dark network

We consider the problem of network design in transparent, or clear channel, optical networks associated with wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). We focus on the class of traffic engineering models known as routing, wavelength, and capacity assignment problems. Here, in contrast to traditional networks, traffic flow paths must also be assigned an end-to-end wavelength. This additional requirement means that there can be an increased cost associated with optimal capacity allocations for such WDM-flows. In general, this can be arbitrarily worse than traditional network designs. We argue that in order to evaluate the benefit of different switch technologies, a good benchmark is to measure the increase in costs purely in terms of link capacity, we call this the cost of transparency. Experimental research shows that this cost is small in multifiber networks with modest switching functionality at the nodes. We present theoretical justification for why this occurs, and prove that in multiwavelength multifiber transparent networks the cost of transparency all but disappears if there is moderate traffic load. Our arguments are based on efficient heuristics that may also be useful for more complex network optimizations. This suggests that the cost savings from using wavelength converters is significant only in young networks with relatively few fibers lit. Such savings may, thus, be small relative to the initial capital expense involved in installing wavelength conversion.     

Reconfigurable wavelength add-drop filtering based on a Banyannetwork topology and ferroelectric liquid crystal fiber-optic switches

This paper presents a modular optical implementation of a Banyan network by using the physical flexibility of the optical fiber to form the interconnections between compact switching stages based on bulk polarization optics. Specifically, these switching stages use total internal reflection (TIR) prisms with ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) polarization rotators to form compact modules. Using this Banyan network implementation, a reconfigurable multiwavelength add-drop filter for wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) applications is proposed. Experimental results for our fiber connected 2 in-2 out FLC-based bulk-optic switching stage gives a ~6.7 dB optical insertion loss and a ~-40 dB optical interchannel crosstalk level. A low 2 dB optical insertion loss design number is expected with optimized components, realizing high (e.g., 35 μs) switching speed and low crosstalk switching networks     

Evaluation of packet scheduling in hybrid optical/electrical switch

This paper presents a hybrid optical/electrical switch for high-capacity future network development. A switch architecture to provide packet switching by solving contention in wavelength and time domains is considered relying on available optical and electrical technology. Physical and logical aspects regarding switch feasibility and management, in relation to the hybrid nature of the switch, are addressed. Scheduling algorithms to support multi-service packet forwarding are compared with optimally exploit optical and electrical subsystems according to traffic characteristics and needs. The main outcomes of the paper suggest criteria to design high-capacity packet switches, based on present-day technology constraints and quality of service requirements, to achieve a fair balance between optical transparency and loss performance.     

TWC and AWG based optical switching structure for OVPN in WDM-PON

Considering the influence of more random atmospheric turbulence,worse pointing errors and highly dynamic link on the transmission performance of mobile multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO)free space optics(FSO)communication systems,this paper establishes a channel model for the mobile platform.Based on the combination of Alamouti space-time code and time hopping ultra-wide band(TH-UWB)communications,a novel repetition space-time coding(RSTC)method for mobile 2×2 free-space optical communications with pulse position modulation(PPM)is developed.In particular,two decoding methods of equal gain combining(EGC)maximum likelihood detection(MLD)and correlation matrix detection(CMD)are derived.When a quasi-static fading and weak turbulence channel model are considered,simulation results show that whether the channel state information(CSI)is known or not,the coding system demonstrates more significant performance of the symbol error rate(SER)than the uncoding.In other words,transmitting diversity can be achieved while conveying the information only through the time delays of the modulated signals transmitted from different antennas.CMD has almost the same effect of signal combining with maximal ratio combining(MRC).However,when the channel correlation increases,SER performance of the coding 2×2 system degrades significantly.