Objectif The main objective is to validate new concepts to achieve high speed (2.5 Gbit/s), high capacity (Tbit/s) switching systems needed for ATM based IBC optical networks. These concepts are applied to centralised switches for public and to decentralised switches for corporate networks. Supporting demonstrators are designed with advanced photonic technologies scaleable to real system dimensions and are tested in quasi-real traffic conditions, to provide a basis for the longer term objective of optimised switching systems.The main objective of the research was to validate new concepts for achieving the high speed (2.5 gigabytes per second) and high capacity switching systems needed for asynchronous transfer node (ATM) based integrated broadband communications (IBC) optical networks. These concepts are applied to centralized switches for the public network and to decentralized switches supporting metropolitan area network (MAN) services in corporate networks.The demonstrators are designed using technologies scaleable to real system dimensions and will be tested in quasi real traffic conditions to provide a sound basis for the longer term objective of optimized switching systems.The research has resulted in the following:performance requirements for ATM optical switches have been established;Modular switching systems have been established and analyzed;demonstrator architecture has been defined;specifications of building blocks have been issued;hardware implementation has started;the basic functionality of key building blocks has been demonstrated including wavelength switching at high speed (greater than 2.5 gigabytes per second) over 20 nm using wavelength conversion devices and buffering of high bit rate cells using 2 types of optical fibre memory (delay lines and loop);world state of the art performances on photonic switching devices have been achieved;wavelength tuneable lasers (50 nm) and high speed (greater than 2.5 gigabytes per second) wavelength converters have been tested;semiconductor optical amplifier gates have been operating at 2.5 gigabytes per second;polarization insensitive indium phosphide space switches have been tested;multifunction optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) fast tuneable filters have been tested;polymeric space switches have been tested.Technical Approach The system concepts employ switch architectures using photonic techniques (space and wavelength switching for routing and multiplexing, time switching using optical fibre buffers to overcome the limitations of ATM electronic switches. These techniques are used where high operation speed and high throughput are required to perform cell routing, multiplexing and buffering. Use of electronics is reserved for the complex functionality of the switch, where speed is not a limiting factor, especially for control. The concepts are validated in experimental testbeds built from state-of-the-art photonic technology. Key Issues - Optical switching in ATM networks, requirements and evolutionary concepts and introduction strategies for optical switching systems, including ATM network-node interfaces and adapted information formats analysis.- Definition of multistage modular systems with appropriate interfaces, feasibility assessment of high-speed/high capacity modular multistage switches including traffic and optical performance evaluation, specification and test of elementary switching modules including electronic control.- Specification, design, realisation and test of functional blocks and subsystems.- Optimisation, fabrication and evaluation of the key photonic components' and ICs' performance for the sub-system functional blocks, with special attention to packaging and to complexity performance trade-off analysis. Expected Impact At the network and system levels, the main impact will be to provide the technological background, as well as viable solutions, for the introduction in the medium term (5-10 year objective) of high speed (greater than or equal to 2.5 Gbit/s) optical switching systems in the ATM based IBC. Champ scientifique natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metalsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksoptical networksnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsfibre opticsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Programme(s) FP3-RACE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of communication technologies, 1990-1994 Thème(s) Data not available Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement Data not available Coordinateur ALCATEL ALSTHOM RECHERCHE Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse ROUTE DE NOZAY 91460 MARCOUSSIS France Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (9) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire ASCOM TECH AG Suisse Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse BRENER TECHNOPARK MORGENSTRASSE 129 3018 BERN Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Alcatel CIT SA France Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 10 rue Latecoere 78141 Vélizy-Villacoublay Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Alcatel SEL AG Allemagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Lorenzstraße 10 70435 Stuttgart Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Centre National d'Études des Télécommunications (CNET) France Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 196 avenue Henri Ravera 92220 Bagneux Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni SpA (CSELT) Italie Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Via Guglielmo Reiss Romoli 274 10148 Torino Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée EIDGENOSSISCHE TESCHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE Suisse Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse INSTITUTE FOR QUANTUM ELECTRONICS, ETH HONGGERBERG 8093 ZURICH Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée IMEC - UNIVERSITY OF GENT Belgique Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse KAPELDREEF 75 3001 LEUVEN Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK Danemark Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse ELECTROMAGNETICS INSTITUTE, BUILDING 348 2800 LINGBY Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée THOMSON CSF LCR France Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse DOMAINE DE CORBEVILLE 91400 ORSAY Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée