Bruno Bostica

Transparent optical packet switching: the European ACTS KEOPS project approach

This paper reviews the work carried out under the European ACTS KEOPS (KEys to Optical Packet Switching) project, centering on the definition, development and assessment of optical packet switching and routing networks capable of providing transparency to the payload bit rate. The adopted approach uses optical packets of fixed duration with low bit rate headers to facilitate processing at the network/node interfaces. The paper concentrates on the networking concepts developed in the KEOPS project through a description of the implementation issues pertinent to optical packet switching nodes and network/node interfacing blocks, and consideration of the network functionalities provided within the optical packet layer. The implementation, from necessity, relies on advanced optoelectronic components specifically developed within the project, which are also briefly described.

Transparent optical packet switching: network architecture and demonstrators in the KEOPS project

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.

Synchronisation Issues in Optical Packet Switched Networks

This paper provides an analysis on the synchronisation aspects in optical packet switched networks. Solutions that have been developed in the framework of the European ACTS KEOPS project are proposed.

Performance of a TCP/IP Backbone Based on Optical Packet Switching

The application of the Optical Transparent Packet (OTP) network concept, as developed in the framework of the ACTS KEOPS project, in the evolving Information and Communication Network Technology is presented where users are IP traffic sources. In particular the OTP network is supposed to operate as an interconnection facility for high capacity backbone routers and to provide the high switching capability needed for border routers at Network Access Points. The network architecture is described and performance evaluation is carried on at network access and on end-to-end basis. The investigation of algorithms for managing packet flows with different quality of service requirements is also developed as a key issue for the future network scenarios.

Network architecture for transparent optical packet switching

In this paper a network architecture for all optical packet switching is presented, suitable for both long distance and metropolitan application. Overall network architecture, protocol layering, functional sub-blocks required and wavelength management are discussed with reference to the latest results obtained within the ACTS Project KEOPS (Keys in Optical Packet Switching).

Ten-channel optical transmitter module for sub-system interconnection operating at /spl lambda/=1.3 /spl mu/m up to 12.5 Gbit/s

Parallel optical interconnection devices feature wide bandwidth, low loss and cross-talk, small size and weight along with low power consumption and cost. They appear particularly suitable to replace the electrical interconnections wherever high connection density and transmission capacity are required (e.g., in board-, cabinet-, and building interconnections). We report on a 10-channel parallel optical transmitter module with a 12.5 Gbit/s total bit-rate. The module includes a commercial 10-channel Fabry-Perot laser array chip) emitting at /spl lambda/=1.3 /spl mu/m, coupled to a standard 50/125 /spl mu/m multimode fiber ribbon, and a silicon CMOS laser driver IC. The IC allows low power consumption even at the high bit-rate achieved, and therefore requires only a passive thermal management, contributing to lower the costs. The output optical power of both logicall 0 and 1 levels can be adjusted externally. The module operates up to 1.25 Gbit/s/ch, exhibiting at a bit error ratio (BER) better than 10/sup -14/. With a power budget of more than 10 dB and a power consumption of 130 mW per channel. An interconnection distance in excess of 1200 m has been demonstrated, with a residual power margin of 4 dB without BER degradation. In this way our transmitter gives interconnection distances in excess of 500 m, not attainable with the shorter wavelengths given by surface emitters, and permits low power dissipation (low threshold light source and CMOS circuits) and low cost fabrication. Such characteristics make the module interesting for applications in which medium-long distances are involved and high bit-rates required, but reduced power consumption and dimensions are mandatory, as for interconnections between submodules in the large switching nodes of new generation.