Home
WO-Net: Wavelength Division Multiplexing and OCDMA for Broadcast and Select Networks
POSI/CPS/40009/2001, FCT/MCES (2002-2004)
 
Participating Institutions:
Instituto das Telecomunicações-Polo Aveiro (coordinator), University of Algarve, Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores - INESC - Porto
Summary:
This project aims to demonstrate a network based on Optical Code Division Multiple Access (OCDMA) where the multiple access to the media is free and based on an Broadcast/Select (B/S) Architecture. This type of transmission methodology is not new, however, the approach that is aimed within this project tries to innovate either in the network architecture or in the code utilization and limitations. With the proposed architecture, we will try to achieve further distances by concentrating the spectrally sliced spectrum in a controlled block and using more pure spectral sources, lasers with narrow spectral linewidth. Only one of these nodes will be present in the network, simplifying controlling processes, increasing network stability and decreasing nodes cost. In the user node, will try to have as much simplicity as it is possible, by having the simple and cheaper, and totally optical in order to reduce the complexity of the optics and electronics. By mixing the concepts of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and OCDMA, we aim an optimized code that will result in an optimum number of users per band and the band optimum parameters, always having in mind the optimization of the network cost and complexity (number of lasers and complexity of the coder/decoder parts). Besides the already presented objectives, we will try to develop an totally optical router for this type of networks that will migrate codes in between bands and codes available in the network or neighboring networks. Also, based on the main components limitations will try to suggest the best utilization and limitations of this type of network when compared to other equivalent configurations.
In summary, this project will try to improve the concept aiming to achieve a more efficient and less expensive approximation, making this type of network more appealing for practical and wide implementation. Doing this we will also achieve better domain in the design and implementation of fiber bragg gratings in order to have the best results for this type of application.