Chapter 2:

Optical communication and

Networks concepts

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1) Optical communication: definition, motivation and technology
Fiber-optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending pulses
of light through an optical fiber. The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to carry
information.

• provides enormous capacities in the network,

• provides a common infrastructure over which a
variety of services can be delivered,
• capable of delivering bandwidth in a flexible
manner where and when needed
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2) Optical network concept

Each channel is assigned a specific signal

wavelength from source to destination.

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 3) Geographical span of optical networks
The long-haul network interconnects cities
or different regions.

A general view of optical networks’ architecture :

• access/ edge networks: connectivity to

user/client premises (1 to 10km)
• Metro networks (“metro-edge” and “metro-core”)
: span the ranges of about 10 to 500 km
• long-haul networks : exceeding a 500 km or
larger reach, and provide interconnectivity
between various regional and metropolitan
domains and subnets
The metro network is the part of the network
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3) Geographical span of optical networks

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 4) Layered network architecture

Each layer performs a certain set of

functions and provides a certain set
of services to the next higher layer.

Layered hierarchy of a network showing the layers at each network element(NE). The classical layered hierarchy

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4) Layered network architecture

Layered hierarchy of a network showing

the layers at each network element(NE).

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4) Layered network architecture
 The optical layer Handle the variety of networks and protocols

An IP over SONET network. (a) The network has IP switches with SONET adaptors
that are connected to a SONET network. (b) The layered view of this network.

The introduction of second-generation optical networks adds yet another layer to the protocol hierarchy—the
so-called optical layer. The optical layer is a server layer that provides services to other client layers

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4) Layered network architecture
 The optical layer Handle the variety of networks and protocols

A layered view of a network consisting of a Example of a typical multiplexing layered hierarchy.

second-generation optical network layer that
supports a variety of client layers above it.

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4) Layered network architecture
 Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET) in North America and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
(SDH) in other parts of the world: SONET/SDH
Commonly Used SONET and SDH Transmission Rates

Transmission Distances and Their SONET and SDH Designations, Where x denotes the STM-x Level

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 5) Multiplexing (TDM and WDM)
 Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM)
In time-division multiplexing, time on the information channel, or fiber, is shared among the many data sources. The
multiplexer MUX can be described as a type of “rotary switch,” which rotates at a very high speed, individually
connecting each input to the communication channel for a fixed period of time. The process is reversed on the output
with a device known as a demultiplexer, or DEMUX. After each channel has been sequentially connected, the process
repeats itself. One complete cycle is known as a frame. To ensure that each channel on the input is connected to its
corresponding channel on the output, start and stop frames are added to synchronize the input with the output.

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5) Multiplexing (TDM and WDM)
 Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM)
In wavelength-division multiplexing, each data channel is transmitted using a slightly different wavelength (different
color). With use of a different wavelength for each channel, many channels can be transmitted through the same fiber
without interference.
This method is used to increase the capacity of existing fiber optic systems many times. Each WDM data channel may
consist of a single data source or may be a combination of a single data source and a TDM and/or FDM (frequency-
division multiplexing) signal.

EFDA= Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers

Part of the ITU grid: each transmitted wavelength in a DWDM system is separated by 100 GHz or 50 GHz

It is possible to multiplex up to 128 individual wavelengths at 2.5 Gb/s or 32 individual wavelengths at 10 Gb/s

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 6) Optical network topologies and standards
 Topologies
Several topologies of networks have become popular. These include the star network, the linear bus network, and
the ring network.

The network takes the form of a backbone

With individual stations receiving or
The transmission lines are brought adding data as required.
together at a common point The stations are arranged into a continuous
circuit. Each station receives a message from
its upstream neighbor and, if it is not the address,
repeats the message to its downstream neighbor
Other topologies exist, as combination the above mentionned topologies.

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6) Optical network topologies and standards
 Standards

Telecommunications standards-setting: International standards are set by the International

Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-TSS). The ITU T1 committee has
developed the Integrated Services Data Network (ISDN) standard, the SS7 switch services, and the Synchronous
Optical NET work (SONET) standard.

Computer network standards-setting: Computer standards in most countries are set by the private industry
without interaction with the government. Data networks, traditionally the realm of the computer industry, are
starting to merge with the telecommunications network, leading to new problems.

Two fiber-optic data networks have been proposed as international standards. The Fiber Distributed Data
Interface (FDDI) network is a wide-bandwidth local area network (LAN) operating at 100 Mb/s and the
Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET) is a proposed wide area network (WAN) operating at a base rate
of 155 Mb/s (with expansion capability to achieve data rates of several Gb/s).

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7) The Cameroonian optical network
 Undersea intercontinental cables

https://manypossibilities.net/african-undersea-cables/
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7) The Cameroonian optical network
 Undersea intercontinental cables

https://manypossibilities.net/african-undersea-cables/
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7) The Cameroonian optical network
 National optical network

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 7) The Cameroonian optical network
 National optical network

See: http://www.africabandwidthmaps.com/fibrereach/ for

updated maps on intercontinental optical links

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8) FTTx
Traditionally, copper wires were used as the transmission medium in the access network, since using optical fibers
cost-effectively in these transmission spans is a major challenge. However, various means of using fibers in the access
network have been explored. These schemes are known by the all-inclusive term fiber-to-the-x (FTTx), where x is
some letter designating at what point the fiber terminates and copper wires (or wireless links) again take over.

*Fiber to the neighborhood (FTTN)

*Fiber to the curb (FTTC)

*Fiber to the building (FTTB)

*Fiber to the home (FTTH) MDF= Main Distribution Frame

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