Abstract

Broad-band networks providing various kinds of services, such as video and high speed data communications, have received increasing attention in not only local-area networks(LANs) but also wide-area networks(WANs). Recent progress in optical fiber transmission has already made worldwide point-to-point transmission links possible. Coherent lightwave technology would further make evolution in transmission length and information capacity. Optical switch would be a key technology for achieving all optical broad-band WANs, where switching and routing functions will be accomplished in optical domain as well as transmission. A possible architecture of global WAN is illustrated in fig.1. Optical communication utilizing both inland and under-sea optical fiber transmissions, together with satellite communication, will play an important role in broad-band global WANs. With these networks, broad-band communication/distribution services will be offered to all over the globe.

© 1987 Optical Society of America