Future optical fiber transmission technology and networks

Abstract

The authors contend that optical system developments, which so far have followed a straightforward and logical path from direct link replacement to the proposed transwitching networks, will evolve towards passive (fiber-only) networks that could ultimately see the eradication of the central office. To explain this view of the future, they briefly trace optical system developments to the present day before citing the technology developments that have led them to the conclusion. They discuss present network and technology trends, focusing on the reduction of the amount of electronic hardware, the disappearance of bandwidth efficiency as an important factor, and the state of the optical network today. They then turn to the future network and technology, showing how the central office can be dispensed with by operating the network on a radio mode, with each terminal assigned a specific frequency.