QoS in burst and packet-switched optical networks

DWDM optical networks offer a huge increase in capacity and combined with optical switching, very efficient transport services may be provided. Research on burst and packet-switched optical (OBS and OPS) networks is initiated to overcome the lack of flexibility in OCS (optical circuit switched) networks. In these networks the design constraints from the optical technology are different from those traditionally met in packetswitched networks. For instance, buffering of data in the optical domain is at best in exible and cumbersome and the switching costs become relatively much larger than transmission costs compared to electronic networks. This raises new challenges in comprehending as well as in the design and dimensioning of these networks to achieve a required QoS cost efficiently. The project addresses these challenges.

Relations to external projects and activities:
Essential technologies and infrastructure project (IST-2000-28557), STOLAS (Switching Technologies for Optically Labeled Signals), WP.1.2 in co-operation with Telenor R&D and Department of Telematics.

Project coordinator: Bjarne E. Helvik
Professors: Bjarne E. Helvik, Peder J. Emstad