Optical networking using micromachines

Summary form only given. Progress in optical networks 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 allow network flexibility in the optical domain and open the path to optical layer networking. Optical wavelength add-drop switches are a key components in the emerging ultra long haul (>2000km) transmission systems and will expand the optical layer traffic management