On optical communications networks and wideband network architecture

The optical networks of today are just beginning to realize their abilities to carry a tremendous amount of information in the forms of voice, data and video signals on a single optical fiber. However, many challenges lay ahead as designers and system developers attempt to integrate an ever greater number of signals. This conglomeration of various types of signals will be transported on the existing and proposed Local Area Networks, Metropolitan Area Networks and Wide Area Networks. This paper will cover some of the Wave Division Multiplexing and optical switching presently being evaluated in various testbed locations across the United States.