Abstract

All-optical photonic networks oiler the potential for bit-rate and format transparent communications. In this class of network, signals traverse the network without oplo-electronic conversion at the routing nodes and may encounter multiple liber links, multiple routing and regenerative components, and signals transmitted on other wavelengths. Due to the analog nature of these networks, the network capacity in terms of number of wavelengths and bit-rate per wavelength that can be supported will depend on the characteristics of the devices and the network they are embeded in. This limitation comes about from a complex interaction between the network architecture and its physical implementation and can lead to degradation in signal-tonoise-ratio and the usable optical bandwidth. Physical limitations that must be considered include bandwidth of the fiber and components, interchannel crosstalk (between wavelengths) due to nonlinearities in the optical fiber and optical amplifiers, incoherent and coherent interchannel crosstalk, and optical and electronic noise.

© 1996 IEEE