Objective
Main Objective
The objectives are to demonstrate the potential of widely tuneable lasers for High Density -Wavelength Division Multiplexed (HD-WDM) networks, to explore a new network architecture taking advantage of the flexibility of such lasers and to develop advanced control, management and switching methods for widely tuneable laser modules.
Technical Approach
The main focus is on the development of control methods for widely tuneable lasers and their implementation in subsystems containing the lasers fully packaged with drive electronics and microprocessor control. The aim of the control is to obtain accurate wavelength settings and sufficiently pure and stable laser spectra. Two distinct routes for achieving this control will be investigated and compared.
The look-up table control is based on laser characteristics (power, wavelength, etc. versus currents) stored on an EEPROM. The characteristics can be both under the form of extensive series of measurement data or based on simple physical models and a limited number of device parameters. Emphasis will be on control algorithms that require little characterisation and very fast programming and on automation of characterisation and parameter extraction.
The feedback control is based on direct monitoring of wavelength, power, etc. during operation and using it as feedback in the control of the tuneable lasers. Particular attention will be paid to wavelength monitoring using stable optical filters. Hybrid control schemes with both look-up table and feedback based control will also be considered.
Widely tuneable subsystems, including the above mentioned control methods will be developed and tested for use in the network demonstrator. The power, single mode stability, frequency stability and tuning accuracy will be investigated with a view to improve performance.
From a systems point of view, there is also a strong interest in fast wavelength switching (e.g. for packet oriented WDM systems) and in direct intensity modulation (to avoid the costly external modulator). Therefore, the limits of switching and modulation will be studied, with the aim to be able to optimise the laser design and to include switching and modulation in the laser control algorithms. To this end, spectrum stabilisation circuits a.o. will be explored. The stable operation of the tuneable subsystems will be investigated in a network demonstrator. Improved module specifications and refined requirements on their control and management will be derived from the experience with the network demonstrator.
Summary of Trial
The HD-WDM network demonstrator will make use of a simplified cross-connecting / routing functionality at the nodes by implementation of a large part of the routing function at the transmitters and receivers. This will require widely tuneable transmitters and receivers, but only passive and mainly fixed wavelength routing at the network nodes.
One of the aims will be to determine the minimum allowable channel spacing. The limitation on channel spacing will primarily come from cross-talk rejection requirements of the designed network. The target channel spacing is 0.4 nm (50 GHz). In addition, laser control and adjustment of the absolute wavelength relative to a reference will be assessed and wavelength management, network control and interworking between modules from different manufacturers will be demonstrated.
Expected Achievements
The expected achievements of the project include:
-Demonstration of a new network concept.
-Establishment of the functionality potential of widely tuneable lasers in a network context.
-Establishment of the control and reliable operation of widely tuneable lasers.
Expected Impact
The project aims at demonstrating that wavelength agile transmitters, based on widely tuneable lasers, can fulfil a key role for routing in WDM networks and are reliable, easily controllable components. New network designs that allow to minimise the number of cascaded optical cross connects as well as to simplify those cross connects are expected to be of increasing importance as the channel spacing decreases and will be demonstrated in the project.
Key Issues
-Demonstration of stable operation and control of widely tuneable lasers.
-Determination of the wavelength switching and direct modulation possibilities with widely tuneable lasers.
-Development of widely tuneable subsystems, fully packaged together with drive electronics and microprocessor control of power and wavelength.
-Design of a network demonstrator based on a new concept with simplified, passive routing at the nodes and routing partly at the transmitter and receiver ends.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware computer processors
- social sciences sociology industrial relations automation
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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.
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Funding Scheme
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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
9000 Gent
Belgium
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.