Abstract

The RACE Multi-Wavelength Transport Network project (MWTN) began in January 1992 with 10 partners including operators, manufacturers and universities (Fig. 1) with completion scheduled for December 1995. The overall goals are to demonstrate the feasibility of an optical network layer that is transparent to signal bit rate and format and to identify evolutionary routes and standards. From an operators viewpoint, these attractive features will provide increased flexibility to carry a wide range of future services. The network approach is based on wavelength routing and uses optical amplifiers, WDM transmission and space switching [1,2]. The project has three key themes: the development of preferred technologies, practical demonstrations of multi-wavelength networking and the application of design and evaluation tools to support the technology development and demonstration activities.

© 1995 Optical Society of America