Wavelength division multiplexing in local area networks

Summary form only given, as follows. Transmitting and processing large blocks of data in real time will require broad-bandwidth networks. Next generation networks must also provide fault tolerance, flexibility, and scalability. Furthermore, future networks must avoid packet contention and minimize packet latency required by user applications such as image and voice transmission. To meet the foregoing new challenges, WDM networks are under intense investigation. These multi-channel networks can potentially achieve higher throughputs, lower delays and greater reliability than single channel optical networks. Two experimental high-speed WDM networks, STARNET and CORD, are being developed at Stanford University. Both networking experiments deal with the issues of signaling, contention resolution, synchronization and computer interfacing. In this talk, both projects will be described.