Abstract

This paper investigates a new class of ring-configured fiber-in- the-loop (FITL) networks that use digital subcarrier-multiplexing (SCM) techniques.^1-3 SCM can provide many transparent, independent SONET-rate channels for ring transport, with ring add/drop multiplexing (ADM) functions achieved through simple, readily available microwave hardware. This approach is applicable to both the feeder and distribution portions of the loop, and it may provide a flexible and low-cost alternative to self-healing rings that use conventional high-speed baseband ADM’s. With the introduction of new services, such as medical imaging, telecommuting, distance learning, and patient monitoring, cost-effective techniques for enhancing FITL survivability will become highly desirable.

© 1993 Optical Society of America