Objective
The goal of METON is to develop an optical WDM-based transport layer to support an ATM/SDH network in providing, in a cost-effective manner, a significant number of subscribers with a multi-service network. Network requirements and dimensioning will be identified by analysing a future multi-service metropolitan network.
METON will stage a demonstration in the Stockholm Gigabit Network that will display various services/applications over an ATM switched network. An optical layer will be developed together with a management system to serve as a reconfigurable infrastructure for ATM/SDH networks. Critical optical components for such a WDM network will also be developed in the project and evaluated in the demonstrator.
A strategy in exploiting WDM networking within a metropolitan network.
A demonstration showing interoperation of an optical WDM transport layer, an ATM switched network layer, and a multi-service layer.
A management system that demonstrates operation of a WDM network layer.
Guidelines for management system architecture, information models and design strategies.
Pushing the technology to enable a cost effective and robust implementation of optical network elements.
Contribution to the standardisation activity on optical networks (ITU-T SG15 and SG13)
A cost/dimensioning tool, DIAMOND, for evaluation of different WDM network designs has been developed.
The first OADM node with CORBA management interface is now in operation within SGN.
An benchmark table that compares characteristics of different component technologies has been generated.
Expected Impact
The results of METON are expected to validate the use of an optical network layer as a complement to ATM and SDH, thereby providing a cost effective, robust and flexible transport for a multi-service network in the metropolitan area. Many telecom operators will upgrade their networks before the end of this decade. Harmonisation and realistic planning will define the interfaces and requirements for network elements and management systems. This is a prerequisite for standardisation of these network components and subsequent product creation. METON will make important contributions in the area of optical networking and related technologies.
Technical Approach
METON is studying the potential of exploiting an optical WDM network in the metropolitan area from several perspectives: network demands, dimensioning/cost issues, network/system functionality and architectures, manageability, transmission capability, technology choice. These issues are approached with theoretical studies of general cases, combined with experiences gained from practical system and component development towards a field demonstrator.
Network demands are identified by working out scenarios that are stressing present network technology. Different network scenarios and architectures can then be evaluated with the cost/dimensioning DIAMOND tool (Dimensioning Application for Multi-wavelength Optical Network Design) that has been developed in the project. Transmission modelling is also performed to identify scaleability limitations caused by interferometric cross-talk and noise.
A functional specification of a WDM network with respect to configuration, fault, and performance management has been produced, and in particular a fault and performance monitoring scheme that complies with the ITU-T G.otn architecture. Mapping of these functions into a management system requires an information model, which has been developed for those optical network elements that will be used, i.e. the OADM and OXC. The management system architecture conforms to the TMN architecture, which was confirmed in an optical network by RACE project MWTN. However, in METON new technologies are exploited, e.g. CORBA interfaces and a web based Graphical User Interface (GUI).
To enable exchange of management information between network elements an optical control channel is used, i.e. a dedicated wavelength channel, forming a new communication profile to the TMN Data Communication Network (DCN). A different channel, which is implemented as a modulated pilot tone superimposed on the SDH signal, provides for supervision along the path of individual optical channels.
The METON demonstrator will be in operation in the Stockholm Gigabit Network (SGN) and will be upgraded continuously as new sub-systems are completed, tested and delivered, or when new software is developed. All new developments are focused on the optical transport layer and its functionality. For the purpose of this demonstration the wavelength allocation has been specified to a 400 GHz frequency scheme, where four channels have been selected: 193.5 193.1 192.7 and 192.3 THz.
The WDM-based optical layer in METON will consist of an optical cross connect (OXC) and five optical add/drop multiplexers (OADM). The OXC fabric will be based on the RACE MWTN architecture, in a more compact realisation and with enhanced functionality.
Each of the five OADM nodes will be constructed for evaluation of different wavelength selection technologies: bulk grating-, Fabry-Perot-, acousto-optic-, phased array-, multi-layer interference-, fibre Bragg-, grating assisted coupler-, planar Bragg-, multi-mode interference (MMI) technologies. To give an example, a prototype of an MMI-MZI device that demonstrates a tuneable 4-channel WDM has been realised in InP. OEICs represent another promising technology, that is under development for applications such as a 4-channel receiver and a non-linear O/E/O pulse reshaper. The goal of testing these technologies in the OADM nodes is to make a critical evaluation of different technical approaches under identical conditions encountered in the demonstrator.
To guarantee the optical signal quality in terms of frequency deviation, signal level, signal to noise ratio, and to detect any ambiguities in the network, supervision within the optical layer is necessary. Appropriate monitoring points are implemented to provide sufficient supervisory information for the management system.
An Optical Control Channel (OCC) enables transfer of management information and control signals over the network through the optical medium. Thus, remote optical nodes can be connected through an integrated control path.
Management Functional Architecture: Network Manager (M), Sub-network Agent (SA) with intelligence, Agents (A).
Summary of Trial
Demonstrator outline. To be demonstrated in Stockholm Gigabit Network.
The demonstration will be staged in the Stockholm Gigabit Network which is divided into a service/application layer, an ATM/SDH layer, and an optical transport layer. The network topology consists of two rings connected to each other through a centralised node. Five sites, distributed over the network as remote units, will have ATM multiplexers that provide user access to the network. Various services will be available over the network and switched by an ATM switch located in the central node. An OXC, co-located with the ATM switch, performs the desired routing of the different optical channels over the network, whereas OADMs select and drop dedicated optical channels at each ATM multiplexer.
The first OADM node, based on a tuneable Fabry-Perot filter, is in operation in SGN with a CORBA management interface.
Key Issues
Network requirements and dimensioning that meet future demands for capacity and desired functionality.
Transmission characteristics of optical networks and their ability to meet requirements on dimensioning.
Network management and control issues including compatibility with other networks.
Functional architecture of an optical network.
Information exchange within the network using OCCs and modulated pilot tones.
Performance monitoring for supervision in optical networks.
Comparison of different optical technologies for robust and cost-effective realisation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences computer and information sciences internet transport layer
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics topology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications telecommunications networks optical networks
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
126 25 Stockholm
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.