Chapter 13
Fiber Optic Communication Networks
Abstract Various types of optical fiber networks have been conceived, designed,
and built to satisfy a wide range of transmission capacities and speeds. The link
lengths between users can vary from short localized connections within a building or
a campus environment to networks that span continents and run across oceans. This
chapter defines basic terminology and general network concepts, illustrates different
fiber optic network architectures, discusses the concept of network layering, defines
data packet switching elements, describes how these elements route signals along
wavelength channels, and shows how network configuration flexibility can offer
connection protection in case there are link or node failures.
This chapter covers performance and implementation issues related to optical fiber
link configurations that can be utilized in various types of networks to connect users
having a wide range of transmission capacities and speeds. The links between these
users can range in length from short localized connections within a building, a data
center, or a campus environment to networks that span continents and go across
oceans. A major motivation for developing sophisticated communication networks
has been the rapid proliferation of information exchange desired by institutions
involved in fields such as commerce, finance, education, scientific and medical
research, health care, national and international security, social media, and entertainment. The potential for this information exchange arose from the ever-increasing
power of computers and data storage devices, which need to be interconnected by
high-speed, high-capacity networks.
Section 13.1 defines basic terminology and general network concepts, discusses
the concept of network layering, and describes fiber optic network topologies.
Section 13.2 illustrates the commonly used optical network configurations, which
include star, tree, and mesh network layouts.
For the terrestrial and undersea long-haul category, the closely coupled SONET
and SDH physical layer standards provide a mechanism for multiplexing and
transmitting optical signals so they can be shared between networks within the
global telecom infrastructure. Section 13.3 discusses the physical layer aspects of
SONET/SDH ring network. To increase the capacity of optical fiber links, research
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
G. Keiser, Fiber Optic Communications,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4665-9_13
507
Fiber Optic Communication Networks
Abstract Various types of optical fiber networks have been conceived, designed,
and built to satisfy a wide range of transmission capacities and speeds. The link
lengths between users can vary from short localized connections within a building or
a campus environment to networks that span continents and run across oceans. This
chapter defines basic terminology and general network concepts, illustrates different
fiber optic network architectures, discusses the concept of network layering, defines
data packet switching elements, describes how these elements route signals along
wavelength channels, and shows how network configuration flexibility can offer
connection protection in case there are link or node failures.
This chapter covers performance and implementation issues related to optical fiber
link configurations that can be utilized in various types of networks to connect users
having a wide range of transmission capacities and speeds. The links between these
users can range in length from short localized connections within a building, a data
center, or a campus environment to networks that span continents and go across
oceans. A major motivation for developing sophisticated communication networks
has been the rapid proliferation of information exchange desired by institutions
involved in fields such as commerce, finance, education, scientific and medical
research, health care, national and international security, social media, and entertainment. The potential for this information exchange arose from the ever-increasing
power of computers and data storage devices, which need to be interconnected by
high-speed, high-capacity networks.
Section 13.1 defines basic terminology and general network concepts, discusses
the concept of network layering, and describes fiber optic network topologies.
Section 13.2 illustrates the commonly used optical network configurations, which
include star, tree, and mesh network layouts.
For the terrestrial and undersea long-haul category, the closely coupled SONET
and SDH physical layer standards provide a mechanism for multiplexing and
transmitting optical signals so they can be shared between networks within the
global telecom infrastructure. Section 13.3 discusses the physical layer aspects of
SONET/SDH ring network. To increase the capacity of optical fiber links, research
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
G. Keiser, Fiber Optic Communications,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4665-9_13
507