Network architecture

Engineering

Optical fiber

Telecommunications network

Interoperability

Operating system

Optical Transport Network

Telecommunications

Scalability

Optical communication

Computer science

Fiber optic sensor

Wavelength

Fiber optic splitter

Computer network

Physics

Optical networking

Multiplexing

Database

Electronic engineering

Passive optical network

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing

Multiwavelength optical networking

Subcarrier multiplexing

Transceiver

Subcarrier

Channel (broadcasting)

Wireless

Wavelength-division multiplexing

Optoelectronics

Journal of Lightwave Technology

A paradigm shift in optical communication networks is proposed, with the introduction of a new ecosystem of devices and components with the capability of transforming current point-to-point optical networks (with their entailed, limiting, electrical aggregation) into flexible, scalable and cost-effective point-to-multipoint networks. In the new architecture, which better aligns with the hub-and-spoke traffic patterns observed in today's metro and access network segments, interoperability across a variety of transceivers operating at different speeds is achieved using individually routed, digitally generated subcarriers. The first comprehensive demonstration of the technical feasibility of the proposed point-to-multipoint architecture based on digital subcarrier multiplexing is presented, along with the remarkable cost savings and simplification of the network it enables.

Point-to-Multipoint Optical Networks Using Coherent Digital Subcarriers