A COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO INTRODUCE AN OPTICAL WDM NETWORK IN THE METROPOLITAN ENVIRONMENT

A case study shows that an optical wavelength division multiplexing (W DM) network can be employed in a metropolitan network in a cost effect ive way. In part, cost savings are realized due to the total number of line terminals required and the fact that the dimensions of the elect rical nodes decrease when exploiting optical cross connects (OXC's) to a large extent. Optical WDM rings are also an important building elem ent when designing a metropolitan network. A number of the properties of WDM rings are classified, resulting in eight different ring archite ctures. Additional requirements arise when considering ring-to-ring co nnections. The extent of the rings chosen for the case study is valida ted from the transmission point of view by a simple model. Finally, as an alternative to an all-optical approach, an opto-electrical approac h is presented.