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There exists significant research on optical networking and some research on the interaction between IP and Optical networks. However, much of this research cannot be applied in real networks due to the assumptions made on the capabilities of optical networks and their mismatch with actual service provider network requirements.
For example, most research on fast protection switching in the optical domain fail to acknowledge that real network connections are set up slowly in order to ensure the gain/power control of amplifiers in the network does not adversely affect live connections.
The ideal research work should leverage realistic service provider network requirements. In most cases, we are interested in results that include a strong proof of practicality – through software or hardware prototype, optical testbed, or accurate simulations.
Overview
Optical networking – specifically technology based on DWDM – has finally developed into a full networking technology with its ability to set up connections in an automated fashion. In parallel, the industry has started to integrate optical technology more closely into routers to achieve more economical core and aggregation architectures. At the same time, the ever increasing bandwidth of the Internet and new applications such as video mandate higher bit-rates per wavelength and higher spectral efficiency over the fiber, resulting in optical networks that may be harder to automate due to higher sensitivity to optical impairments.
We are seeking original applied research in the area of DWDM networking at the physical transmission layer; the control plane inside the optical layer and between it and the packet layer; and management of the optical layer and its interaction with the router.
The physical layer research is aimed at achieving long distance unregenerated transmission at 40Gbps and 100Gbps per wavelength as well as low cost 10Gbps for metro distances. While much of the emphasis centers around achieving high performance over existing 50GHz DWDM systems, research into devices that can provide significant value inline with the DWDM system (and not just at the endpoints) is also of interest.
Contemporary control plane research is aimed at automating the optical layer and its interaction with routers and other packet devices. Research into management tools for the optical layer is aimed at further automating the optical layer, providing better troubleshooting capabilities and network planning under unknown traffic patterns.
High speed long-haul transceiver design
40G/100G transmitter and receiver designs that provide robustness against typical impairments such as CD, PMD and OSNR while keeping the cost and complexity as low as possible. Specifically, we are looking for new modulation formats, better error correction codes, electronic methods for impairment compensation, and other approaches that improve reach.
Improved DWDM layer design
The DWDM layer today can be improved by including wideband (bulk) tunable CD and PMD compensators, all optical regenerators, impairment monitoring devices, and tunable spectrum switching devices.
Control plane for automated optical layer
The control plane research is aimed at automating the optical layer and its interaction with routers and other packet devices. This includes new methods to control the amplifiers and switches for fast switching of optical connections over a large optical network (in the order of ms vs. seconds today), and new automated interactions between the router and the optical layer, such as combined protection and bandwidth management.
Network management for automated optical layer
Research into management tools for the optical layer is aimed at providing better troubleshooting capabilities in the network as well as more robust design of the network. Tools that are of main interest:
- Analyze complex failure patterns in an analog environment and point to a root cause
- How to allow users to understand the state of the network and enable its management if the optical layer is dynamic
- Provide novel methods for routing optical connections in a network
- Planning the network under unknown traffic patterns.
Economical regen placement in a network so as to serve unknown traffic is also an unresolved challenge.
If your research topic doesn't directly address any of the RFPs listed above, please submit it as a generic proposal for this area.
If you have comments, questions or feedback related to this area please don't hesitate to contact us at research-optical@cisco.com
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