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Local Integrated Optical Network

Objective

This project aimed at the definition, design, prototype development and demonstration of a high-speed local communication network based on optical technology, with an OSI-consistent protocol architecture suitable for user interfacing at different layers. LION is a multiservice business network intended for global communications in different environments such as offices, industrial and research laboratories universities, hospitals and manufacturing plants. Sources that can access LION include any mix of terminals for speech, data, control signals, graphics and compressed video images. Each service is guaranteed the required performance.
LION is also a distributed access protocol which implements a hybrid switching technique to provide both circuit and packet communications. The network nodes regularly monitor channel activity, and each in turn gains access following an ordered collision-avoidance procedure. The frame structure is flexible and can efficiently host services with different bit-rates.
The LION 140 Mbit/s transmission subsystem exploits optical technologies. A self-healing topology is provided using a two-fibre cabling with active taps, as dictated by today's commercially available components. When a link or node goes out of service, anautomatic procedure isolates the failed element, restores network continuity and resumes operation among the remaining nodes.
The project aimed at the definition, design, prototype development and demonstration of a high speed local communication network based on optical technology, with an open systems interconnection (OSI) consistent protocol architecture suitable for user interfacing at different layers. Specific achievements of the project were:
a 3-node prototype network with applications, showing local integrated optical network's (LION) ability to integrate voice, data and video communications (each node of the prototype takes advantage of a modular structure with specific hardware and firmware, interfaces, multiprocessor boards and software packages) specific access modules to connect user terminals, such as telephones, data terminals, host computers and videoconference equipment (these modules are assembled within a LION node cabinet);
interworking devices gateways to interconnect LION with the integrated services digital network (ISDN) the Telecom-1 satellite network, and Ethernet like local area networks (LAN);
network management and control systems, based on hierarchical functionalities provided at node level with a management module, and at global level with a network control centre. (A measurement centre was also implemented to test and monitor the network performance during operation);
circuit integration of the transmission subsystem (based on application specific integrated circutis (ASIC) and a 565 Mbit/s prototype breadboard, including access control functionalities).
Specific achievements of the project were:
-A three-node prototype network with applications (spring 1989), showing LION's ability to integrate voice, data and video communications. Each node of the prototype takes advantage of a modular structure with specific hardware and firmware, interfaces,multi-processor boards and software packages. This prototype was produced in stages, with the demonstration of node breadboards in 1986, one assembled node with selected applications in 1987, and two cooperating nodes in 1988, before the 1989 final prototype.
-Specific access modules to connect user terminals, such as telephones, data terminals, host computers and videoconference equipment. These modules are assembled within a LION node cabinet.
-Interworking devices (gateways) to interconnect LION with the integrated services digital network (ISDN) the Telecom-1 satellite network, and Ethernet-like LANs.
-Network management and control system, based on hierarchical functionalities provided at node level (Management Module) and global level (Network Control Centre). A Measurement Centre was also implemented to test and monitor the network performance duri ng operation.
-Circuit integration of the transmission subsystem (based on application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and a 565 Mbit/s prototype breadboard, including access control functionalities).
Exploitation
LION can be considered as the initial step of an overall strategy to develop multi-service networks in the sectors of extended LANs and metropolitan area networks (MANs) for public usage.

Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni SpA
EU contribution
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Address
Via G. Reiss Romoli, 274
10148 TORINO
Italy

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Participants (7)