Partner und Internationale Organisationen
(Englisch)
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Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecommunicazione (I), Politecnico di Torino (I); BT Labs. (UK), Coritel (I), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (CH), Instrument SA (F), Thomson CSF (F), IMEC (B), Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Spain)
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Abstract
(Englisch)
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It is the main objective of SONATA to define and demonstrate a single-layer fibre optical communication network platform for end-to-end optical connections between a large number of terminals for business and residential customers. Time-and-wavelength-agility at terminals will be exploited simplifying the network structure. By eliminating the need for complex nodes within the network, this non-traditional approach explores an effective and viable solution for the realisation of high capacity all-optical networks. The advantages of this 'switchless' network will be investigated and evaluated at the technical, management and economic levels.
System studies will define the optimum network structure, ultimate limits, scaleability, protection, feasibility and impact of network control and management, and economic viability. Advanced optical and optoelectronics devices will be developed, with enhanced characteristics for fast wavelength switching, burst-mode operation (non-continuous data transmission) and high-density wavelength division multiplexing (HD-WDM). In particular, the SONATA project will develop receivers and all-optical wavelength converters able to show fast and wide wavelength tuning and burst mode operation; and wavelength demultiplexers with enhanced characteristics in terms of number of channels, narrow wavelength spacing and crosstalk..
The two SONATA laboratory demonstrators will show the main features of a small size 'switchless' network (about 5,000 terminals and 40 optical channels), and be capable of supporting multi-point-to-multi-point connections with a channel spacing of 0,4 nm and fast wavelength agility of transmitters, receivers and wavelength converters.
For SONATA, ETH-Z develops burst-mode receiver integrated circuits with channel selection and data retiming capabilities, including photodetectors that handle the information traffic at the access terminals. For wavelength switched gates special semiconductor optical amplifier gates are developed. Concepts and first designs of these complex receivers (transistor count exceeds 100,000) are currently realised in commercial foundry. Initial series of optical amplifier gates and a special 10 GHz narrowband receiver have already been successfully completed
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