Journal of Optical Communications and Networking 

About: Journal of Optical Communications and Networking is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Passive optical network & Network topology. It has an ISSN identifier of 1943-0620. Over the lifetime, 100 publications have been published receiving 1814 citations.

Design of Low-Margin Optical Networks

Abstract: We review margins used in optical networks and review a formerly proposed margin taxonomy. For each category of margins, we review techniques that the network designer can use in order to increase the capacity of optical networks, extend their life, and decrease deployment cost (CAPEX) or total cost of ownership over their life duration. Green field (new network deployments) and brown field techniques (used after initial network deployment) are discussed. The technology needed to leverage the margins and achieve the aforementioned gains are also reviewed, along with the associated challenges.

Survey of Photonic Switching Architectures and Technologies In Support Of Spatially and Spectrally Flexible Optical Networking {[}Invited]

Abstract: As traffic volumes carried by optical networks continue to grow by tens of percent year over year, we are rapidly approaching the capacity limit of the conventional communication band within a single-mode fiber. New measures such as elastic optical networking, spectral extension to multi-bands, and spatial expansion to additional fiber overlays or new fiber types are all being considered as potential solutions, whether near term or far. In this tutorial paper, we survey the photonic switching hardware solutions in support of evolving optical networking solutions enabling capacity expansion based on the proposed approaches. We also suggest how reconfigurable add/drop multiplexing nodes will evolve under these scenarios and gauge their properties and relative cost scalings. We identify that the switching technologies continue to evolve and offer network operators the required flexibility in routing information channels in both the spectral and spatial domains. New wavelength-selective switch designs can now support greater resolution, increased functionality and packing density, as well as operation with multiple input and output ports. Various switching constraints can be applied, such as routing of complete spatial superchannels, in an effort to reduce the network cost and simplify the routing protocols and managed pathway count. However, such constraints also reduce the transport efficiency when the network is only partially loaded, and may incur fragmentation. System tradeoffs between switching granularity and implementation complexity and cost will have to be carefully considered for future high-capacity SDM–WDM optical networks. In this work, we present the first cost comparisons, to our knowledge, of the different approaches in an effort to quantify such tradeoffs.

Routing, Spectrum, and Core and/or Mode Assignment on Space-Division Multiplexing Optical Networks [Invited]

Abstract: Elastic optical networks (EONs) are considered to be one of the promising future networks for spectrum flexibility. In conventional wavelength-division multiplexing networks, routing and wavelength assignment is one of the key issues, whereas the routing and spectrum assignment (RSA) problem considerably affects the network performance in EONs. In addition, the data-center traffic and mobile back-haul traffic keeps increasing. To deal with such increasing capacity of applications, space-division multiplexing (SDM) technologies such as multi-core fiber (MCF) and multi-mode fiber (MMF) have been intensively researched. From the network perspective, this paper focuses on the routing, spectrum, and core and/or mode assignment (RSCMA) problem for future SDM-EONs. Introducing MCF or MMF further complicates the RSA problem because the fiber core or mode dimension is newly expanded. In addition, physical impairment caused by MCF or MMF must be considered. In this paper, the target RSCMA problem is first divided into routing and SCMA problems, and a pre-computation method based on the K-shortest path is introduced as the routing solution. Next, we propose SCMA methods with efficiency and flexibility awareness, exploiting prioritized area concept and crosstalk awareness depending on whether MCF or MMF supports intercore/intermode crosstalk. Finally, the paper evaluates and compares the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms with that of representative algorithms.

Emerging Optical Access Network Technologies for 5G Wireless [Invited]

Abstract: With the advancement of radio access networks, more and more mobile data content needs to be transported by optical networks. Mobile fronthaul is an important network segment that connects centralized baseband units (BBUs) with remote radio units in cloud radio access networks (C-RANs). It enables advanced wireless technologies such as coordinated multipoint and massive multiple-input multiple-output. Mobile backhaul, on the other hand, connects BBUs with core networks to transport the baseband data streams to their respective destinations. Optical access networks are well positioned to meet the first optical communication demands of C-RANs. To better address the stringent requirements of future generations of wireless networks, such as the fifth-generation (5G) wireless, optical access networks need to be improved and enhanced. In this paper, we review emerging optical access network technologies that aim to support 5G wireless with high capacity, low latency, and low cost and power per bit. Advances in high-capacity passive optical networks (PONs), such as 100 Gbit/s PON, will be reviewed. Among the topics discussed are advanced modulation and detection techniques, digital signal processing tailored for optical access networks, and efficient mobile fronthaul techniques. We also discuss the need for coordination between RAN and PON to simplify the overall network, reduce the network latency, and improve the network cost efficiency and power efficiency.

PON roadmap [invited]

Abstract: With the recent conclusion of the XGS-PON and NG-PON2 standards in the ITU-T, the fiber access industry is now considering where to go next. This paper reviews the passive optical network (PON) systems market and the services that will drive the take-up of these next-generation PON technologies. The drivers for future PON evolution are discussed, and some technology options for the evolution of PON systems are highlighted.