Abstract

Recent advances in device technologies have opened new opportunities for implementing OTDM in very high-speed long-haul transmission as well as networking. The multi-terahertz bandwidth made available with the advent of optical fibers has spurred investigation and development of transparent all-optical networks that may overcome the bandwidth bottlenecks caused by electro-optic conversion. In future fiber-optic broad-band integrated digital services networks, the large data rates in the fiber-optic transmission links as well as the large number of packets transmitted per second will place sever demands on the required transmission bandwidth and reconfiguration speed of packet switches. Although electronic switching technology has already achieved high switching speeds, it is quite possible that it will be difficult for electronic switches to match the transmission bandwidth that the fiber-optic link can provide. In today fiber-optic packet-switched networks, routing of the packets is made with opto-electronic LiNbO₃ crossbar switches. Switching speed of these devices is practically limited only up to several tens of GHz.

© 1997 Optical Society of America