1 - Overview of OFT V volumes A & B

Abstract

This chapter reviews components and subsystems of Optical Fiber Telecommunications V (OFT V). As systems become more complex, critical device technologies that might have been considered a “solved problem” previously have new requirements placed upon them and need a fresh technical treatment. At first, systems simply required low-loss fiber. However, long-distance transmission enabled by EDFAs drove research on low-dispersion fiber. Further, advances in WDM and the problems of nonlinear effects necessitated development of nonzero dispersion fiber. Cost considerations and ultra-high-performance systems, respectively, are driving research in plastic fibers and ultra-low-polarization-dependent fibers. Optical fiber communications is firmly entrenched as part of the global information infrastructure. The irrational exuberance and despair of the technology “bubble-and-bust” have poured untold sums of money into development and supply of optical technologies, which was followed by a depression-like period of oversupply. Around 2001, worldwide telecom traffic ceased being dominated by the slow-growing voice traffic and was overtaken by the rapidly growing Internet traffic. The business community overestimated the growth rate, which generated enthusiasm and demand, leading to unsustainable expectations. The only question is how deeply will it penetrate and complement other forms of communications, e.g., wireless, access, and on-premises networks, interconnects, and satellites.