Abstract

Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) and frequency routing provide the means to build large-capacity packet networks that are optically transparent between input and output ports. The proposed optical local area network (LAN) is built around a central hub consisting of an N×N frequency router followed by a fast-tunable optical filter at each output port. Users are connected to the hub by a pair of fibers. One of the fibers is used for transmission, and the other is used for reception. Transmission is accomplished by a fast-tunable laser' capable of switching at nanosecond speeds between the N wavelengths of the system. Data are carried by amplitude-shift keying (ASK) impressed by an external modulator. At reception, the signal is demodulated by a conventional direct-detection receiver.

© 1994 Optical Society of America