OA&M framework for multiwavelength photonic transport networks

Photonic networks based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and optical path technologies are expected to realize flexible, transparent, and cost-effective transport networks with a large transmission capacity. This paper explores the design framework of photonic transport networks taking into consideration the operation administration and maintenance (OA&M) functions required for the successful introduction of WDM systems based on the optical path concept. From the view point of network maintenance, clear distinction is made between the optical path layer and the optical section layer to facilitate accurate and smooth failure localization. The digital multiplexing span between physical multiplexing interfaces at the end-to-end digital nodes should have the same maintenance span as the corresponding optical path. We argue that cooperative maintenance by OA&M functions at both the digital and optical layers can be a practical way of network supervision. A supervisory (SV) signal transfer method and a configuration that is suitable for the terrestrial trunk network are also indicated. As an example, a practical SV system design methodology and an actual procedure developed for a single channel optical transmission system based on optical in-line amplifiers are introduced. Furthermore, application of the developed SV system and network restoration schemes is discussed for future WDM-based photonic networks. The OA&M aspects introduced will be valuable for creating future photonic network systems     

Optical cross-connect system incorporated with newly developedoperation and management system

The optical cross-connect (OXC) system described in this paper increases the operation flexibility and reliability of the trunk-line optical networks used for data communication. It features an OXC node comprised of a photonic switching network and a conventional electric switching network that are connected hierarchically. The operation and management scheme proposed for this OXC system uses the concept of an optical path and an optical section. The OXC system allows hitless network reconfiguration by switching the photonic switches gradually and without interference effects. An experimental OXC network showed that a broken optical path is restored, by rerouting, within 50 ms. Experiments using a LiNbO₃ 8×8 photonic switch matrix also showed that the OXC system provides photonic hitless switching. These results confirm the feasibility of flexibly reconfigurable and fast-restorable OXC systems     

Demonstration of the highly reliable Hikari router network based on a newly developed disjoint path selection scheme

Integration of multiprotocol label switching functions and multiprotocol lambda switching functions can enhance the throughput of IP networks and remove bottlenecks that are derived from electrical packet processing. To enhance the packet forwarding capability, NTT proposed a photonic MPLS concept that includes MP/spl lambda/S, and demonstrated IP, MPLS, and photonic MPLS integrated router systems called the photonic MPLS router. This router system is now called the Hikari router. The word Hikari is Japanese meaning beam, light, lightwave, optical, photonic, and sunshine. The amount of IP data traffic has grown remarkably. Massive IP routers and flexible route control mechanisms are now required to cope with the increased amount of traffic. The Hikari router can offer two solutions utilizing photonic switching technologies, and photonic network operation and management technologies. The first solution is utilizing photonic switching technologies realized using optical-switch-based crossconnect systems. The other solution is realized using the MPLS and MP/spl lambda/S signaling protocol and photonic network protection functions. In this article we report on the implementation of the Hikari router systems, propose a newly developed disjoint path selection scheme for generalized MPLS networks with shared risk link group constraints, and demonstrate the signaling protocol and network protection functions. The demonstration system achieves a distributed optical path set-up/tear-down protocol with an extended constraint-based routing label distribution protocol. Fast self-healing through automatic protection switching and a new restoration scheme are also implemented. These functions are successfully implemented, and the performance is verified on a demonstration network. The protection switching scheme achieves protection in less than 20 ms, and the optical path restoration scheme achieves restoration in less than 500 ms.     

Intelligent and Reliable Photonic Cross-Connect System Based on Overlay Model

We developed a carrier-based photonic cross-connect (PXC) system based on an optical switch, which provides wavelength-division-multiplexing transmission, generalized multiprotocol label switching, and optical-transport-network management. This system uses an overlay model in which the administrative authority between the client-network-element (NE) layer and the carrier's PXC layer is completely separated. The PXC system provides user-network interface signaling between the client NEs and the PXCs, which enables automatic optical path setting between the two client NEs through a PXC network. We considered new protection schemes for the PXC system and successfully carried out an experiment in a testbed network using one of the discussed schemes. The new concept of policy control in the control-plane management is introduced, and the feasibility of our PXC system is demonstrated. This system is promising as a prototype for a next-generation optical transport system. Furthermore, the PXC system will enable the creation of a new type of optical transport layer service, accommodate increased Internet traffic demand, and reduce network operation loads and costs for Internet service providers and carriers in the near future.     

An all-optical computer network: lessons learned

Rainbow-1, an all-optical WDMA network capable of supporting up to 1000 nodes, each operating at 1 Gb/s sustained bit rate, is described. The expression all-optical stems from the fact that in these systems the path between nodes has electronic signal-handling only at the two ends. The path between nodes may be topologically complex, but it is all optical. The all-optical approach opens up the possibility of systems with thousands of users per link or network, each running at gigabit speeds, and employing electronic and photonic components whose speed need not be greater than the per-node bit rate. The lessons learned by building the Rainbow-1 WDMA network are discussed     

Photonic transport network architecture and OA&M technologiesto create large-scale robust networks

In order to realize a large-scale and robust photonic transport network, a network protection strategy and operation, administration, and management (OA&M) realization scheme in wavelength division multiplexing optical path (WDM OP) transport networks has been developed. This paper discusses the networking (restoration/protection) concepts in each optical layer and proposes the most suitable networking strategy. To develop the OA&M technique, the characteristic information format of each optical layer must be discerned. A network node interface (NNI) structure for the WDM OP transport network is proposed. The proposed NNI is defined as the optical transport module (OTM). An OP signal format is defined as the optical transport unit (OTU). Overhead information and schemes to transmit it are also discussed     

Photonic transport technologies to create robust backbone networks

This article discusses the role of the new optical layer in terms of transport layer architecture and functional allocations. The envisaged future photonic network is identified, and the technologies needed to realize reliable communication are clarified. Network-node interface technologies, and network protection and restoration strategies are discussed in detail, since these are key to developing a network with high integrity that will be a main pillar of the future information society. Finally, applications of photonic network technologies and a network design example are presented; the IP backbone network based on optical path technologies is highlighted     

Photonic transport networks based on optical paths

This paper explores the technologies that will enable a further leap forward in transport network evolution. First, requirements of the future transport network are elucidated. Existing network cost is evaluated and the viable means to reduce transport network cost are identified. It is demonstrated that optical path technologies such as WP (wavelength path) and VWP (virtual wavelength path) will play a key role in this. They enhance not only transmission capacity but also cross-connect node throughput cost-effectively by capitalizing on the wavelength routeing scheme. Optical path realization technologies focusing on optical path cross-connect systems are examined. Requirements for the optical path cross-connect system are then elucidated, and a new cross-connect system architecture is evaluated. The architecture exploits PLC (planar lightwave circuit) and other commercially available technologies suitable for large-scale production. The evaluations include cross-connect node upgradability, modular growth capability, total node cost, optical loss and switching power consumption. It is proved that the architecture has significant advantages over existing switch architectures. The optical path technologies provided in this paper will pave the way for a new transport network paradigm, a ubiquitous, bandwidth-abundant and affordable broadband ISDN.     

SDH传输网中的光电路路由算法

根据目前在SDH传输网管中存在的快速开通光路和电路的具体需求,针对由若干环构成的网络拓扑较为复杂的SDH传输网提出了光电路路由算法和电路路由算法,算法以光电路分层模型为基础进行,能迅速进行光路和电路的路由调度。最后对算法进行了简单的分析。     

The potential of photonic networks

Simple and flexible photonic networks will provide the basic technologies for the telecommunication networks of the 21st century, broadband-ISDN, and fiber-to-the-home. It is recognized that SDH and ATM systems have much difficulty increasing the throughput by electrical signal processing technologies, such as signal processing speed, latency, and so on. Photonic networks have the potential to solve these problems and to construct ultra-high-capacity, simple, and flexible transport networks. This becomes very promising with the development of optical fiber amplifier and other new optical device technologies. This article reviews trends in optical transmission technologies and discusses the possibilities of the photonic network. Conceptual photonic network examples for the transport network, access network, and customer premises network considering the present network are shown. Future research items for constructing the photonic network are also discussed     

MEMS: the path to large optical crossconnects

Continuous growth in demand for optical network capacity and the sudden maturation of WDM technologies have fueled the development of long-haul optical network systems that transport tens to hundreds of wavelengths per fiber, with each wavelength modulated at 10 Gb/s or more. Micro-electromechanical systems devices are recognized to be the enabling technologies to build the next-generation cost-effective and reliable high-capacity optical crossconnects. While the promises of automatically reconfigurable networks and bit-rate-independent photonic switching are bright, the endeavor to develop a high-port-count MEMS-based OXC involves overcoming challenges in MEMS design and fabrication, optical packaging, and mirror control. Due to the interdependence of many design parameters, manufacturing tolerances, and performance requirements, careful trade-offs must be made in MEMS device design as well as system design. We provide an overview of the market demand, various design trade-offs, and multidisciplinary system considerations for building reliable and manufacturable large MEMS-based OXCs     

Resource management in an integrated optical network

We propose a novel integrated optical network switching architecture. The proposal offers an approach to signaling for the purpose of transport on an all-optical network of optical and nonoptical legacy network traffic. In order to provide effective end-to-end control and efficient transport services, new signaling and control techniques are required. Standard organizations such as Optical Interworking Forum (OIF) and Internet Engineering Task Force have developed interface methods between client and transport networks, as well as signaling processes for resource allocation. We propose a network controller, which implements interfaces for such integration in the intermediate future, as well as provides a feasible path for the long-term objective of all optical networking. Performance and capacity issues for these systems introduce new dimensions to the existing set of networking problems, since optical paths can now be set up in real-time. There are two main contributions in this paper: (1) functional composition of a network controller, which translates legacy signaling to optical connection signaling and path establishment and (2) determining when to issue an optical connection request based on the current network conditions such as link utilization, so that the integrated optical network can operate efficiently. Analytical approximations, as well as simulation results for call blocking performance are also presented.     

Network architecture for optical path transport networks

This paper proposes a new layered transport network architecture on which the WDM optical path network can be effectively created. The optical path network will play a key role in the development of the transport network that will realize the bandwidth-abundant B-ISDN. This paper extends the layered transport network architecture described in ITU-T Recommendation G.803 which is applied in existing SDH networks. First, we elucidate an application example of WDM optical path networks. Next, we propose a new layered architecture for WDM-based transport networks that retains maximum commonality with the layered architectures developed for existing B-ISDN networks. The proposed architecture is composed of circuit layer networks, electrical path layer networks, optical layer networks, and physical media (fiber) networks. The optical layer is divided into an optical path layer and an optical section layer. The optical path layer accommodates electrical paths. Optical section layer networks are divided into optical multiplex section (OMS) layer networks and optical repeater section (ORS) layer networks. The OMS layer network is concerned with the end-to-end transfer of information between locations transferring or terminating optical paths, whereas the ORS layer is concerned with the transfer of information between individual optical repeaters. Finally, a detailed functional block model of WDM optical path networks, the function allocation of each layer, and an optical transport module (OTM) are developed     

Two-dimensional GaAs photonic switch array with direct gain andhigh contrast

The fabrication and design of a 4×4 surface-normal reflection photonic switch array, with an operating principle based on the change of the gain coefficient in GaAs, is described. A 3-μm-thick GaAs active layer and carrier confinement layers are sandwiched between a semiconductor multilayer reflector and an antireflection window. The beryllium ion implantation technique is used to make a narrow current path to reduce the operation current. Each photonic switch independently realizes direct amplification and absorption of the optical signal. It features an optical gain of 4 dB and a contrast of 9.6 dB, for an applied voltage of 2.2 V. The array has a simple planar structure     

一种基于GMPLS的QoS区分服务框架的应用

基于GMPLS与光网络波长路由结合的控制方案被我们认为是认识未来"光子使能"网格计算传输结构的有效方法.为了解决人们对真实分布式计算的需求,文章在波长路由-光子网络层提出了一种能为网格应用提供QoS区分服务的通用框架,它建立在GMPLS对动态路由的选择和波长分配的基础上.实验表明,这种框架在技术上和经济上都是可行的.     

High-dimensionality shared-medium photonic switch

A space-division photonic switch which has the potential to achieve high dimensionality is presented. The proposed switch, which resembles a collapsed network, does not use optical crosspoints; rather a dedicated path is provided for all input/output port connections on a common high-bandwidth transmission medium. This eliminates the restrictions imposed by 2×2 switching elements in classical space-division switching fabrics. The demonstration of a fully connected 120×120 space-division time-multiplexed photonic switch is reported. The dimensionality and blocking performance of a shared-medium photonic switch that uses time-multiplexing is analyzed     

Key building blocks for high-capacity WDM photonic transportnetworks

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the different studies we have performed at the research level regarding the design and implementation of a photonic wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) layer providing transparent transport services to client layers (SONET/SDH, ATM, etc.). Such a network requires a number of enabling factors to be assessed in order to become a reality. Among these factors are the availability of high-capacity WDM transmission systems and efficient optical routing nodes based on mature technology, the design of robust networks optimizing the utilization of resources, and the development of a management system in accordance with presently applied standards for transport networks. We review our achievements in these different fields     

Advances in optical path crossconnect systems using planar-lightwave circuit-switching technologies

This article highlights advances in NTT's optical path crossconnect systems that use planar-lightwave circuit switches. A photonic MPLS router that can handle up to 256 optical label switched paths is developed as one result of our R&D activities; mature OPXC technologies are adopted to create a practical OPXC system.     

全新布里渊散射可切换微波光子滤波器

提出了一个新的基于布里渊散射效应的微波光子滤波器。该滤波器可通过调谐系统中光滤波器的中心波长,实现高解析度带通滤波器与陷波滤波器之间的灵活切换,并且通过调谐产生受激布里渊散射的泵浦光的波长可实现滤波器通带或阻带的中心频率在很大频率范围内连续调谐。该滤波器为全光结构,因此具有非常大的调谐范围（调谐上限仅受限于试验中使用的矢量网络分析仪的显示频率上限）。系统中采用相位调制器,因此没有偏置电压漂移问题。实验结果展示了一个带通与陷波滤可灵活切换的高解析度微波光子滤波器,并且通带和阻带的中心频率在9～26.5 GHz范围内连续可调谐,其中带通滤波器的通带具有极窄3 dB带宽,约28 MHz（由光纤本身布里渊增益区线宽所决定）。     

Radio-over-Fibre access for sustainable Digital Cities

Pervasive broadband access will transform cities to the net social, environmental and economic benefit of the e-City dweller as did the introduction of utility and transport network infrastructures. Yet without action, the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the increasing energy consumption of access networks will become a serious threat to the environment. This paper introduces the vision of a ‘sustainable Digital City’ and then considers strategies to overcome economic and technical hurdles faced by engineers responsible for developing the information and communications technology (ICT) network infrastructure of a Digital City. In particular, ICT energy consumption, already an issue from an operating cost perspective, is responsible for 3 % of global energy consumption and is growing unsustainably. A grand challenge is to conceive of networks, systems and devices that together can cap wireless network energy consumption whilst accommodating growth in the number of subscribers and the bandwidth of services. This paper provides some first research directions to tackle this grand challenge. A distributed antenna system with radio frequency (RF) transport over an optical fibre (or optical wireless in benign environments) distribution network is identified as best suited to wireless access in cluttered urban environments expected in a Digital City from an energy consumption perspective. This is a similar architecture to Radio-over-Fibre which, for decades, has been synonymous with RF transport over analogue intensity-modulated direct detection optical links. However, it is suggested herein that digital coherent optical transport of RF holds greater promise than the orthodox approach. The composition of the wireless and optical channels is then linear, which eases the digital signal processing tasks and permits robust wireless protocols to be used end-to-end natively which offers gains in terms of capacity and energy efficiency. The arguments are supported by simulation studies of distributed antenna systems and digital coherent Radio-over-Fibre links.