All-optical fast packet switched networks: Physical and logical limits of operation

One of the objectives of the the European ACTS 043 KEOPS project, was to assess the feasibility of a high capacity all-optical packet switching network to face the dramatic increase of traffic needs. The initial objective was to cascade a maximum of 16 network sections (involving transmission links up to 100 lan and one optical packet switching node) at 10 Gbit/s to validate the concept. In this paper we present both the experimental validation and a logical analysis. The physical performance has been assessed through a loop cascade of 40 network sections including 160 Gbit/s throughput switching nodes and 100 lan or transmission. Recent experimental results have shown that such a network could be extended to a world scale. The limits of operation have been checked by regarding interferometric noise influence in the cascade and evolution of power discrepancies through the network. For the first time, these results really indicate that it is possible to provide high capacity, full flexibility and total expandability at the network level without any opto-electronic conversion. Finally, we will give simulation results exhibiting the packet loss rate, the packet delay and the occupation rate in the buffer. In particular, we demonstrate that the packet loss rate was preserved during the cascade. Results are compatible with ATM constraints as well as with other data transmission formats. This set of results demonstrates the feasibility of an all-optical packet switched network while providing both high quality of signal and high traffic performance.