The evolution of the traffic in terms of volume and profile creates a need for multi-Terabit network elements providing the required flexibility to support a bit rate more and more variable than fix. In this paper, we describe an optical matrix that can be used in different network applications. After a description of an optical matrix capable to handle Terabit capacities, we will then describe two important applications. The first one is for the backbone, in the core a multi-Terabit class routers. The objective is to simplify the architecture and to provide better performance. Some extension will be given to project this view at a network scale, envisaging a new multiprotocol packet format. The second one is for the metro, for the HUB. This last concept is studied in the frame of the IST DAVID project. The required optical technology will be described highlighted with some key realizations and validation results. Finally, a conclusion will draw the perspectives for the next steps.

In this paper, promising technologies and a network architecture are presented for future optical packet switched networks. The overall network concept is presented and the major choices are highlighted and compared with alternative solutions. Both long and shorter term approaches are considered, as well as both the wide-area network and multiple-area networks parts of the network. The results presented in this paper were developed in the frame of the research project DAVID (Data And Voice Integration over DWDM) project, funded by the European Commission through the IST-framework.

This paper reviews the work carried out in the ACTS KEOPS (Keys to Optical Packet Switching) project, describing the results obtained to date. The main objective of the project is the definition, development, and assessment of optical packet switching and routing networks, capable of providing transparency to the payload bit rate, using optical packets of fixed duration and low bit rate headers in order to enable easier processing at the network/node interfaces. The feasibility of the KEOPS concept is assessed by modeling, laboratory experiments, and testbed implementation of optical packet switching nodes and network/node interfacing blocks, including a fully equipped demonstrator. The demonstration relies on advanced optoelectronic components, developed within the project, which are described.

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the different studies we have performed at the research level regarding the design and implementation of a photonic wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) layer providing transparent transport services to client layers (SONET/SDH, ATM, etc.). Such a network requires a number of enabling factors to be assessed in order to become a reality. Among these factors are the availability of high-capacity WDM transmission systems and efficient optical routing nodes based on mature technology, the design of robust networks optimizing the utilization of resources, and the development of a management system in accordance with presently applied standards for transport networks. We review our achievements in these different fields.

This paper describes the work carried out in the RACE Project R2039 ATMOS (asynchronous transfer mode optical switching). The project is briefly illustrated, together with its main goal: to develop and assess concepts and technology suitable for optical fast packet switching. The project's technical approach consisted in the exploitation of the space and wavelength domains for fast routing and buffering: The major achievements are then reported. Four different switch architecture concepts have been proposed, investigated and developed, all based on a high speed optical routing matrix electrically controlled at lower speed. The basic optical key components and subsystems (wavelength converters, space switches and optical buffers) are described in detail, with the outstanding results obtained and the corresponding projected performance. In particular, system demonstration of wavelength conversion at 10 and 20 Gb/s has been realized, to show the usefulness of the ATMOS technology both to implement optimized high performance optical packet-switching fabrics as well as transparent optical circuit-routing nodes. Four rack-mounted, reduced size demonstrators of basic switching matrices have been designed and implemented scalable to real system sizes. The obtained good results in terms of bit error rate and hardware integration are reported, showing that ATM switches are feasible with state of-the-art optical technology.

An optical buffer shift register based on a set of fiber delay lines is presented, with the goal of providing cell storage and queuing in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) photonic switches. The concept of multiwavelength cell buffering is adopted, to realize a shared buffer with a storage capacity equivalent to a set of shift registers. Since only one wavelength-encoded cell must enter one delay line at each time slot, contention resolution is necessary to determine the queuing order between the incoming cells. The use of optical fibers as delay lines and semiconductor optical amplifiers as gates associated with passive splitters to realize buffering and time-switching has been demonstrated. An experimental setup has been implemented at 600 Mb/s and operates without guard bands between packets. The low penalty observed shows that system synchronization and reliability are good.>