Recent Developments in and Challenges of Photonic Networking Technologies

Abstract

SUMMARYThe transport network paradigm is changing as evidenced by IP convergence and the divergence of architectures and technologies. Harnessing the full power of light will spur the creation of new broadband and ubiquitous services networks. To attain this, however, not only must photonic technologies be optimized, but they must also be coordinated with complementary electrical technologies. With regard to photonic network design technologies, further developments are necessary including very large scale network design, quasi-dynamic network design, and multi-layer optical path network design. key words: photonic networks, photonic network design, multi-layer optical paths IntroductionBroadband access is penetrating throughout the world, and FTTH (Fiber to the Home) is being rapidly adopted in Japan and North America as the most powerful means of broadband access; there were more than six million users as of the middle of 2006 in Japan. Although this number is relatively small compared to ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) subscribers (14.5 million), it continues to increase at a much higher rate than ADSL and is expected to exceed that of ADSL within a couple of years. Because of the rapid penetration of broadband access and the introduction of new services for businesses, the traffic of broadband users is increasing rapidly, i.e., more than 100 percent every year [1]. Considering further burst in the volume of traffic envisaged, which will be spurred by the penetration of bandwidth intensive new services based on video, another advances in network performance and cost reductions must be attained.In designing future networks and systems, we must consider the current paradigm changes; IP (Internet Protocol) convergence and the divergence of architectures and technologies. To start with, we discuss past and present status of network development in Sect. 2. Harnessing the full power of light will spur the creation of new broadband and ubiquitous services networks. The key requirements of enhancing the performance and reducing the cost of future IP-based multimedia communication networks can be effectively achieved by exploiting wavelength routing. This requires, however, not only the optimization of photonic technologies but also coordination with complementary electrical technologies. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label will also be needed. In Sect. 3, we discuss key issues that we need to consider in the development of the photonic network, and directions towards network throughput expansion. Finally, we discuss some of the cutting-edge photonic networking technologies including segmented network design, quasi-dynamic network design, multi-layer optical path network design, and optical fast circuit switching. IP Convergence and Technology Divergence Transport Network EvolutionFigure 1 depicts the trends in transport network evolution over the last two decades. At the middle of the 1980's, core and metro networks are based on the plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH) [5]. The digital hierarchy of Europe, Nort...

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