Optical local area networks using uncooled photonic components

Summary form only given. The paper describes recent advances in optical local area network design, enabled by the development of low cost WDM based components. The network uses separate spectral channels for wavelength control and data transmission. It primarily uses multiwavelength transmission to enable flexible network control, but additional flexibility is provided through space switching. The paper describes new multiplexing and space switching components that have allowed successful network operation.