A new optical gigabit Ethernet network element
Abstract
The main purpose of this work is the generation of new intelligent functionalities at the optical network physical layer in Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and nodes. These new tools are achieved by the use of a field programmable gated array (FPGA) integrated circuit associated with microwave RF subcarriers. With such intelligence, a new IP/Ethernet network element is introduced and described, and special attention is dedicated to its structure, to its implementation and to the aspects of its use in networks. An experimental setup using the developed element is shown as a proof-of-concept, demonstrating the characteristics of the system and the transparency of the optical intelligence with respect to the Ethernet standard. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 1330–1334, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21626
