On optical communications networks and wideband network architecture

The optical networks of today are just beginning to realize their abilities to carry a tremendous amount of information in the forms of voice, data an d video signals on a single optical fiber. However, many challenges lay ahe ad as designers and system developers attempt to integrate an ever greater number of signals. This conglomeration of various types of signals will be transported on the existing and proposed Local Area Networks, Metropolitan Area Networks and Wide Area Networks. This paper will cover some of the Wave Division Multiplexing and optical sw itching presently being evaluated in various tested locations across the Un ited States. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.