Compounds of Optical Networks

Based on previous knowledge, essential components of optical networks and their parameters and properties are introduced and explained. Switches are an important element. Mechanical, electro-optical, mechano-optical, and thermal switches as well as micro-electro-mechanical switches (MEMS) are described. Filters for optical networks are of great importance. Interference-based filters (thin-film filters), Fabry-Perot filters, fiber Bragg gratings, and phased array arrangements as filters are described. Applications such as optical isolators, optical circulators, optical add-drop multiplexers, and optical cross-connectors are explained. The 3R technology (re-amplification, re-shaping, and re-timing) is used for signal regeneration. Optical amplification in rare-earth-doped glass fibers (EDFA), Raman optical amplifiers (ROA), and semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) are explained in detail. Dispersion-compensating optical fibers and fiber Bragg gratings are used for re-shaping. Re-timing (clock recovery) is achieved by nonlinear processing of the input signal or by adaptive filtering with decision feedback and is described.