An Overview of Lightwave Packet Networks: Lightwave Networks: Unique Opportunities and Constraints

Anthony S. Acampora, Mark J. Karol

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

123 Scopus citations

Abstract

The nature of telecommunications networks is rapidly being transformed by major trends in three strategic technologies: microelec-tronics, photonics, and software. By way of example, real-time processing of routing, control, and some higher-layer protocol fields of high-speed data packets in custom-designed VLSI circuitry has enabled low-cost, distributed network interfaces to displace large packet switching nodes in which similar functions were implemented in software on general-purpose computers. Local Area Networks are beneficiaries of such custom VLSI technology, with Metropolitan and Wide Area Networks likely to follow. Similar-ly by virtue of its low-loss, low-dispersion properties, photonic transport technology has enabled reliable digital communications at very high speeds over long, unrepeated distances [1]. Photonic technology is now finding application not only for point-to-point transport, but also in distributed, packet-oriented communication networks. Here, not only does photonics provide the bandwidth needed to handle high-speed packets, but it also provides the potential for distributed networks that offer an aggregate capacity orders of magnitude higher than alternative technologies. In fact, a major problem to be addressed concerns the system architectures needed to permit a multitude of distributed users, each constrained in peak speed to that offered by electronic technology, to effectively share a usable optical bandwidth many orders of magnitude greater. Finally, powerful new software techniques, including expert systems and distributed operating systems, are now becoming available to provide enhanced operations, administration, and maintenance, a panorama of new services, and sophisticated end-user programmability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-41
Number of pages13
JournalIEEE Network
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1989

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