Large high-capacity LANs and MANs that exploit the attenuation of fiber-optic passive taps

A local- or metropolitan-area network (LAN or MAN) that exploits the power losses of fiber-optic passive taps so that wavelengths can be reused in different portions of the network is proposed. In this network, many simultaneous transmissions can occur on any given wavelength. The network can support an arbitrary number of nodes because packets take multiple hops, when necessary, to reach their destinations. Signals are regenerated at intermediate nodes, when necessary, using the same transmitters and receivers needed at the nodes for accessing the fiber, so that no additional repeaters or amplifiers are required. Furthermore, packets bypass most nodes as they propagate toward their destinations, thereby reducing the number of hops. One fault-tolerant example configuration, a dual-ring-shaped passive bus, is examined.<>