A European optical network: design considerations

This paper presents a number of design issues under consideration in the development of an all-optical network linking major centres in Europe. The proposed network is characterised 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: Multi-Wavelength Transport Network. The network combines wavelength selection and space switching to achieve signal routing. One of the objectives is to understand the extent to which transparency can be achieved in such a large network. The author considers capacity requirements, transmission limitations and node and network architecture issues