Optical Networks;
Opportunities and Challenges
Professor Mustafa
Microsystems Engineering
Rochester Institute of Technology
Optical fibers became the
telecommunication medium of choice for the last three decades. The advent of internet
created a challenge for telecommunication networks in its demand of
unprecedented levels of bandwidth. This demand is still on the increase
irrespective of the slow down in telecommunication industry. The need for
all-optical networks created great challenges for both the network designer as
well as the device developers. In this presentation a basic overview of optical
networks will be introduced followed by some of the fundamental challenges and
opportunities in research in the areas of multiplexing, photonic switching, and
networking. Applications of optical networks in the field of telecommunication
as well as computing will be highlighted.