Micromachines for Optical Networking

Lightwave communication systems use fiber-optics to transport signals between nodes,k and will use optical layer networking to optimally manage signal paths under normal and disrupted network conditions. Progress in both areas is driven by the shift from voice messaging to data communications and an exponential growth in capacity demands. New micromachine devices (MEMS) are poised to significantly impact the advancement of both networking and transmission. The deployment of MEMS based optical cross connects such as Lucent's LambdaRouter allow network flexibility in the optical domain and open the path to optical layer networking. Optical wavelength add-drop switches are a key component in the emerging ultra long haul (>2000 km) transmission systems and will expand the optical layer traffic management. The conversion of the optical layer from one of static links to dynamic reconfigurable network will require that the optical transmission system characteristics are reconfigurable. Demonstrations of MEMS variable attenuators, optical spectrum equalizers and dispersion compensators show the potential for robust signal transport in such networks. MEMS components are notable for their small size, low cost, and flexible scalability. The imminent deployment of lightwave micromachines for transport and networking is expected as industry embraces the technology's maturity, capability and economics.