Abstract

The worldwide trend toward broadband communication networks presents major challenges in the design of switching systems to route high-capacity services efficiently and reliably. Some scenarios predict that the total data throughput of a local switching center may increase by approximately 3 orders of magnitude. The success of optical technologies in transmission systems suggests that optics could also be used to advantage in switching. The difficulties lie in quantifying the performance advantages of these emergent technologies in comparison with competing electronic alternatives.

© 1990 Optical Society of America