CAEI's approach for a Texas optical network initiative (TONI) to develop applications for wave division multiplexing (WDM)

There are two major requirements, increased connectivity and bandwidth, for both military and commercial communications. Running counter to this is the high cost of installing new fiber and replacement of legacy systems. Wave division multiplexing and optical networks built using this technology are emerging as a leading solution to achieving higher bandwidths and channel capacity on existing installed fiber and constructing transparent networks. WDM and optical networking are currently seen by the US Department of Defense as the only way to increase the transmission rates to accommodate the communications needs of the 21/sup st/ century. The ability to accommodate greater data transmission needs is recognized as a national security issue and DARPA have funded two consortia, MONET and NTON, to help develop the WDM technology to accommodate those needs. The two consortia have developed solutions and products for the long distance back haul carrier network. The local exchange solutions are not addressed. However, it is the local exchange solutions that the DoD and most commercial customers need to enable connection to the back haul circuits.