Hybrid hierarchical optical networks

Abstract

Hybrid hierarchical optical cross-connects enhance the performance/cost ratio of optical networks by providing transparent (optical) switching of sets of wavelengths (wavebands) in addition to opaque (electrical) switching of individual wavelengths. As network bandwidth gets cheaper, and the performance bottleneck moves to switching nodes, these systems provide an attractive scalable solution for next-generation optical networks. We describe key technological components (including flexible nonuniform wavebands) of hybrid hierarchical optical cross-connects and discuss their performance/cost implications.