Abstract

This paper describes the attributes and network implications of a new network architecture, termed the Digital Optical Network, based on the use of recently developed large-scale photonic integrated circuits to implement frequent, affordable OEO conversion within an optical transport network. This architecture shows promise for providing the service flexibility, rapid reconfigurability, manageability and robustness of digital SONET/SDH networks, with the capacity scalability and cost-effectiveness of WDM networks. The viability of this architecture is modeled on a typical North American nation-wide network, and results demonstrate the potential cost- effectiveness of this architecture for use in a wide range of metro, regional and long-haul network applications.

© 2005 Optical Society of America