Course content

This course will be taught every second year, next is autumn 2012. The course will give the student in-depth understanding of the functionality of optical networks and how they may be implemented. How an optical network can work together with an IP-based network infrastructure for ensuring both high reliability and performance in access, metro and transport networks, is paid special attention. Protocols, e.g. MPLS, GMPLS, T-MPLS, Ethernet PBB-TE and RSVP-TE will be adressed. The topics covered includes building blocks for optical networks and systems.
Included is an introduction to optical components, principles and functionality in optical network elements as well as basic physical principles and properties and constraints in optical fiber transmission.
Principles and the function of optical circuit switched networks, both network elements like reconfigurable add/drops and optical cross-connects as well as the principle of a wavelength routed optical network are covered.
Finally, up-to-date research in optical packet switched node and network architectures is studied.

Learning outcome

A. Knowledge:
1) To get a basic understanding of physical properties of optical networks.
2) To get a profound understanding of protocols applied in optical networks: MPLS, GMPLS, MPLS-TP, Ethernet PBB-TE.
3) To get a profound understanding of optical switching methods and networking techniques, circuit, packet, hybrid, burst and flow.
4) To get a basic understanding of optical components and optical node design.

B. Skills:
1) To be able to communicate, reason and creatively think about optical networks.
2) To be able to design optical networks, taking both physical transmission properties and optical networking constraints into account.
3) To be able to evaluate performance of optical packet switched nodes using discrete event simulation methods.

Learning methods and activities

Interactive lectures and colloquia. It is expected that the students are well prepared in advance before participating. Obligatory excercises. One of the excercises will be discrete event simulation of performance in an optical network. This course will be taught every second year.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of telecommunication systems for transport networks, e.g. as given by the course TTM4105 Access and transport networks. Basic knowledge of object oriented programming and modelling of information and communication systems is advantageous.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

To be defined at start of course. Parts of textbooks and papers from conference proceedings and journals will be the main litterature. The manual for the simulation tool DEMOS will be used in (at least) one of the excercises given.