关于下一代光传输网络的演进和升级的一些思考(特邀)

Thoughts on Migration and Upgradation of Next Generation Optical Networks(Invited)

针对下一代光传输网络的演进和升级,文章探讨了存在的问题和挑战,并提出了一些应对策略和思路,包括:建议采用光收发器分离来应对日益增长的网络业务流量的非对称性;采用频域子波段虚级联技术支持新老两代光传输技术的共存,实现密集波分复用(DWDM)光网络向灵活频谱光网络的平滑演进;探讨无色、无向、无阻塞、无栅格可重构光分插复用器(ROADM)在光网络中的使用和替换策略,以及新老ROADM节点间的互联互通问题;探讨光网络中新型大有效面积、超低损耗光纤的替换问题和策略等。

This article discusses the potential issues and challenges for the upgradation and migration of the next-generation optical network,and proposes the strategies of tackling these.Due to the increasing bidirectional asymmetry of traffic flows,we propose to separate the pair of transmitter and receiver in each optical transponder to encapsulate them in independent modules.To support the smooth migration from the Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing（DWDM）optical network to the flexiblespectrum optical network,we propose to employ the sub-band virtual concatenation technique to enable the transmission of super-channels in the DWDM network.We also discuss the strategies of using the new generation of colorless,directionless,contentionless,and gridless Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer（ROADM）to replace old ROADM in the optical network.In addition,the issues on enabling the communications between the new and old generations of ROADMs is also discussed.Finally,considering the reality that a large amount of fibers would be replaced in the coming years,we consider the issues and strategies of replacing old single-mode fibers with the new large effective area and ultra-low loss fibers.