The European ACTS project optical pan-European network (OPEN) aims at assessing the feasibility of an optical pan-European overlay network, interconnecting major European cities by means of a mesh of high-capacity optical fiber links, cross-connected through transparent photonic nodes. Both the transmission links and the routing network elements rely on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) all-optical technologies, such as wavelength translation. This paper presents results obtained in the following domains covered within the project: network topology considerations (optimization and dimensioning); network physical layer simulation; fabrications of packaged functional modules based on advanced optoelectronic devices; laboratory demonstrations of N/spl times/10 Gb/s transmission and routing; feasibility of an optical time division multiplexing/WDM (OTDM/WDM) interface; and the field implementation of a 4/spl times/4 multiwavelength crossconnect prototype, featuring all-optical space and wavelength routing. This implementation was realized in two cross-border field trials, one conducted between Norway and Denmark and the other between France and Belgium. The final results of the Norway to Denmark field trials are presented, featuring the successful cascade of three wavelength-translating optical crossconnects (OXCs), along with the transmission over 1000 km of a mix of standard/submarine cable links for four channels at 2.5 Gb/s.

The performance of adaptive decision feedback equalization applied to high bit rate digital radio systems in the presence of multipath propagation is analytically investigated. Minimum phase (MP) and nonminimum phase (NMP) type fades as well as the transition periods between these two states are considered. Insight is given into the IF recovered timing epoch and its consequences on the decision feedback equalizer (DFE) behavior, especially during transition periods. Required conditions on the DFE structure for ensuring its maximum efficiency are derived and a modified updating algorithm is presented. Finally, dynamic simulation results are reported and compared to theoretical results. They show that the proposed structure is capable of coping with most propagation conditions.

A new carrier recovery loop which applies to quadrature amplitude shift keying (QASK) and phase shift keying (PSK) modulation schemes is presented. This loop is shown to provide significant advantages compared with those already used. Furthermore, the baseband processing of the demodulated signals allows an easy implementation, especially for high-speed digital modems. Both geometrical interpretation and theoretical justification using estimation criteria are provided. Finally, experimental results are reported.

A computational method allowing the calculation of bit error rate in the presence of filtering and some other impairments is described for 16 QAM modulation; a breadboard working at a bit rate of 140 Mbits/s has been implemented and experimental results are compared with calculated values. The possible use of this modulation type for a high capacity digital radio-relay system is considered. Some parameters are introduced for this purpose, especially the net fade margin parameter. In the case of the 140 Mbit/s system in the 10.7-11.7 GHz frequency band, 4 PSK and 8 PSK modulation types are compared with 16 QAM. System gain, frequency arrangement, nodal capacity and outage performances are evaluated.