CBN: a fibre optic backbone network

The Cambridge Backbone Network (CBN) is a ring based backbone network implemented with fibre optics. It is being developed under a collaborative project between Olivetti Research Lab and the University of Cambridge, Computer Laboratory. The aim is to design and build a ring communication network for integrated computer data, voice and real-time video applications. The network will primarily provide a backbone facility for interconnecting groups of CFRs (Cambridge Fast Ring) local-area networks in the metropolitan area, but it can also be used for other applications. The authors discuss the requirements for the CBN and give an overview of the design. Aspects of the physical layer including the fibre optic components, the line-code, the telemetry subcarrier and the clock distribution are explained in detail.<
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