TABLE OF CONTENTS Optical networking technology is the most critical requirement for metropolitan WDM systems. As the metropolitan WDM technology becomes more cost-effective in near future and bandwidth demand continues its exponential growth, widespread deployment of WDM technology is inevitable. This technological evolution will drive carriers to expect new solutions, which will permit maximum use of existing networks combined with technical and economical advantages in the next-generation metropolitan WDM systems.
One of the biggest advantages is expected in the area of ALL optical networks that will offer several key operational benefits including the ability to manage wavelengths - not optical fibers - which will lead to significant increases in revenue for service providers. Additional benefits include less expensive installation, maintenance and provisioning. Increased path length and dispersion management issues need to be addressed in the design of future metropolitan networks (Figure 6.4). New optical fibers must be optimized for metropolitan area networks of lengths from 100 to 300 km. Future architectures for emerging metropolitan-based networks require optimization, especially for the 1550 nm window, to be more cost-effective. Cost-effective operation can be achieved by using matured component technology, by minimizing the dispersion limitations of these components and by integrating the EDFA technology in the 1550 nm spectral window.
Silica single-mode fiber (SSMF) was the fiber of choice for applications in metropolitan networks. This fiber is characterized by a zero-dispersion wavelength close to 1310 nm and possesses a positive profile across the EDFA window in the vicinity of this...
