Evolution of optical core networks

Abstract

Optical networks have developed rapidly over the last ten years and show every sign of continuing to grow and adapt to the new challenges of supporting more traffic, more reliably and flexibly, at lower cost. We briefly review the developments of the last ten years and then discuss current thinking on how core optical networks will develop into the future, exploring the similarities and differences with the previous generation of technologies. We have attempted to provide a ‘low-jargon’ paper with links to more detailed studies where appropriate.