Fiber System Principles And Design

The configuration of future optical networks will depend on the performance of the underlying component technologies, the applications and types of traffic to be distributed, economic and regulatory issues and more. This paper addresses the first concern. Basic principles and other critical aspects of optical communication devices are presented. Available devices are used to design a basic link which best meets prescribed performance specifications. The link is then used as a building block and as a performance measure for computing various distribution networks. The paper closes by identifying key issues whose resolution is needed to facilitate wide spread adoption of optical distribution networks.