Wavelength conversion in optical transport networks

The introduction of optical technology in the path layer of a transport network is analyzed; in particular, the impact of all-optical wavelength conversion is examined. Two basic optical cross-connect schemes based on space switching and on wave-length switching, respectively, and two types of wavelength converters are considered. The wavelength converters are, respectively, based on four-wave miring (FWM) in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and on cross-phase modulation (XPM) obtained by two SOAs put in an interferometric configuration. An analysis of transmission performances of optical transport networks employing both types of wavelength conversion and both the node architectures is reported. The performances are evaluated by means of a system modeling that facilitates considering physical phenomena occurring during transmission and all the important transmission impairments. The analysis reveals that both the types of converters can be employed with different features and limitations, according to the considered network and switching architecture.