Development of a Fully Interconnected Optical Network Architecture (FIONA)

Abstract

Networks have been rapidly evolving over the last several decades and continue to do so today. This evolution has been driven by a need for increased performance, as characterized by increased data rates and larger bandwidth. This project focused on the development of a reconfigurable network architecture that connects existing Local Area Networks (LANs) to create an extended LAN. The network uses optical fiber and supports data transparency. This Fully Interconnected Optical Network Architecture (FIONA), uses Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), wavelength conversion and out-of-band control to achieve all-optical routing within the network. The architecture uses all-optical wavelength conversion as both a mechanism to route data and to reconfigure the network in the event of a link failure. A portion of the network was constructed and a simple control algorithm was implemented. Proof of concept testing was completed, demonstrating all-optical routing of data and out-of-band control. The network has demonstrated some ability to handle mixed signal transmission, and its data transparent nature allows for the connection of heterogeneous LANs to form a single extended LAN. The reconfigurability of the network improves survivability and fault tolerance without necessarily adding redundant systems or links. Fiber optics allow for higher data rates and larger available bandwidth compared to existing copper networks. The mixed signal nature of the network eliminates the need for pre-transmission conversion of analog data and enables the interconnection of analog and digital devices. FIONA is an improvement over existing access network architectures, such as those used in shipboard and avionics applications. It provides greater connectivity between local area networks, resulting in increased network performance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 07, 2007
Accession Number
ADA473329

Entities

People

  • Mark E. Daniel

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Electronic Warfare
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bandwidth
  • Computer Networks
  • Control Systems
  • Data Links
  • Data Rate
  • Detectors
  • Digital Communications
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Fiber Optics
  • Local Area Networks
  • Multiplexing
  • Network Architecture
  • Network Protocols
  • Network Topology
  • Networks
  • United States Naval Academy
  • Wavelength Division Multiplexing

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computer Networking