Trends in undersea fiber optic systems

Abstract

The old world model of undersea communications systems is that they were an expensive, scarce resource, dominated by voice traffic, structured as a hierarchy of basic voice channels, and that national telephone companies controlled the network. The world model is that of a plentiful resource, multimedia types of communications, non-hierarchical, and decentralized control. These new business models include the emergence of undersea networks as well as hybrid terrestrial/undersea systems. New, emerging business models for undersea communications systems are discussed as well as innovative architectural concepts and changes in design parameters to fulfill the promise of these business models. The advances in fiber optics technologies that enable these new business models drive significant changes in undersea cable system design parameters. These changes in design parameters also drive changes in cable management systems. This paper discusses the key drivers, impacts, and trends in undersea fiber optic systems.