Lightwave multichannel networks with grid-based topologies

The author explores a class of multichannel networks in which each channel is treated as a link in a regular logical topology. Specifically, the topologies are based on the two-dimensional grid. The author reviews other approaches to the design of lightwave local area networks and explains the reasons behind this approach. He considers the case in which the channels are logically organized as a simple two-dimensional grid. He introduces a variation of the grid topology called the multiconnected grid, and investigates a particular type of multiconnected grid in detail. For the variations of the grid topology the author studies their fault-tolerant characteristics, their ability to support multicast communication, and their suitability for use with an adaptive topology protocol