WASPNET: A wavelength switched packet network

WASPNET is an EPSRC-funded collaboration between three British universities : the University of Strathclyde, Essex University, and Bristol University, supported by a number of industrial institutions. The project - which is in vestigating a novel packet-based optical WDM transport network - involves d etermining the management, systems, and devices ramifications of a new netw ork control scheme, SCWP, which is flexible and simplifies optical hardware requirements. The principal objective of the project is to understand the advantages and potential of optical packet switching compared to the conven tional electronic approach. Several schemes for packet header implementatio n are described, using subcarrier multiplexing,separate wavelengths, and se rial transmission. A novel node design is introduced, based on wavelength r outer devices; which reduce loss, hence reducing booster amplifier gain and concomitant ASE noise. The fabrication of these devices, and also waveleng th converters, are described. A photonic packet switching testbed is detail ed which will allow the ideas developed within WASPNET to be tested in prac tice, permitting the practical problems of their implementation to be deter mined.