Wavelength-routed optical networks

Summary form only given. Research and development of wavelength-division multiplexing and routing technology is being pursued very actively. A primary application is to convert the single-channel optical links of today's networks into multi-channel WDM optical links for increased capacity. The use of wavelength-routing technology offers more functionality than electronic-WDM networks which consist of electronic switches and WDM links. Wavelength-routing enables the re-use of wavelengths in different parts of transparent optical networks to overcome some of the limits of a finite number of available wavelengths. Wavelength-routed networks can offer large capacities with transparent optical paths that do not undergo optical-to-electronic conversion. Assuming that WDM technology is available, it is important to realize that wavelength-routed optical networks must be compared to electronic-WDM networks rather than today's electronic networks with single-channel optical links.