A fibre-optic AWG-based real-time network and its applicability to high-performance embedded computing

In this paper, an architecture and a medium access control (MAC) protocol for a multi-wavelength optical communication network, applicable in short range communication systems like system area networks (SANs), are proposed. The main focus lies on guaranteed support for hard and soft real-time traffic. The network is based upon a single-hop star topology with an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) at its center. Traffic scheduling is centralized in one node (residing together with the AWG in a hub), which communicates through a physical control channel. The AWG's property of spatial wavelength reuse and the combination of fixed-tuned and tunable transceivers in the nodes enable simultaneous control and data transmission. A case study with defined real-time communication requirements in the field of radar signal processing (RSP) was carried out and indicates that the proposed system is very suitable for this kind of application.