Wavelength routing for advanced optical networks

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a reality for optical transmission systems with many vendors offering solutions with 16, or more, channels at bit rates of up to 10 Gb/s. These systems are essentially static and point-to-point, with the WDM providing a cost effective way to increase capacity. The challenge now is to capitalise on the move beyond WDM and find new ways in which network features can be expanded whilst cost is reduced. This paper focuses on the following areas: the effect of different market segments, a possible evolutionary path for adding functionality in the optical layer of the network, the role of management in the optical network, and a description of an experimental wavelength router developed by Nortel