Components for optical ATM

The optical integrated broadband communication networks (IBCN) will provide high throughput. Therefore, it is convenient to keep the information in optical form during the switching process to avoid the conversion between high bit rate optical and electronic signals. Furthermore, for high flexibility it is likely that the IBCN will use the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) that provides service independent data transmission and switching. Techniques for optical packet switching are consequently subject to immense interest. Key components for optical packet switches are gates, wavelength converters and optical filters. The authors focus on the performance of SOA-gates and wavelength converters in relation to optical packet switches. A schematic of the ATMOS switch is shown, to give an idea about the functional blocks in which the components can be used.