Fibers and fiber devices for next generation optical networks.

摘要

Conventional optical networks consist of point-to-point fiber links that span long geographical distance, where the performance reliability of time-continuous circuit traffic is critical. As optical networks reach out to users in the last mile, considerations such as bursty traffic pattern and cost have to be taken into account. These considerations impose new challenges on the fiber physical layer.; This dissertation outlines the performance requirements of current and next generation optical networks and discusses the above fiber issues they impose. These challenges can be roughly divided into the categories of optical amplifier transient response, high-speed data transmission over multimode fibers, and optical interconnects.; Optical amplifier continues to serve its essential role in future optical networks by boosting signal strength to overcome passive component losses. However, being an analog component, the impact of their transient response on end-to-end system performance, and ways to mitigate any negative effects need to be investigated. This is the focus of the section on optical amplifier transient response.; In an effort to maximize cost efficiency, installed communication infrastructure in office and residential buildings should be fully utilized, hence motivating the study on high-speed data transmission over multimode fibers. The latest technologies and results are discussed in this section.; The last section addresses the interface that ensure seamless connection of traffic as data moves from one type of data network to another, each with its own specific performance requirement. Electrical interconnects have traditionally been the technology of choice, but their speed (and eventual throughput) might not scale with the increasing data rate and the deployment of wavelength division multiplexing. The advantages and results of optical interconnects are presented.