Abstract

Wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical networks are being explored with the goal of exploiting the broad optical band of low loss in optical fibers to provide new network architectures that are more flexible, optically transparent ("all-optical"), and survivable, and that have a higher capacity and performance than traditional means. Early network architectures were largely based on the passive broadcast star, and used tunable lasers, receivers, or both to establish noninterfering channels over this transparent shared medium.

© 1993 Optical Society of America