Optical switching, optical data transport, and related technologies underlie the data and voice communications networks so ubiquitous across our applications environments. It is asserted that the advances in optical systems are taking place at almost double the rate predicted by Moore’s Law. Since a single strand of optical fiber can carry in excess of a terabit per second of information and off-the-shelf optical switches require a small fraction of the space and power required by electrical switches, it is no wonder that the majority of signals in today’s networks are mostly transported via such advances in optical systems engineering. Given another prediction that Internet traffic volume will roughly double every year for the foreseeable future, it would seem that only optical-based transport technology can meet our near insatiable demand for increased bandwidth in the network core.

The author’s stated purpose for this handbook is to bring the reader up to speed on these rapid advances in optical networking. As such, the text covers the basic concepts of optical communications technology; their use in voice, signal, and data networks; and general approaches and practices for their implementation within current and future network applications. As with any handbook that attempts to comprehensively explain and illustrate a rapidly evolving technology, this text is best in its explanation of fundamental concepts and the workings of basic optical network components, but is perhaps less useful in providing detailed insight into current state-of-the art applications. In any case, this handbook seems to be a valuable reference work for both students of these technologies and practicing professionals.

The book is organized into 14 chapters, one appendix presenting an optical network case study, and a 28-page glossary of terms and acronyms. The initial chapters provide useful overviews of various optical communications technologies and their implementations, including a discussion of dense wavelength-division multiplexing as the basis for many current optical networks. Subsequent chapters describe the merger of Internet protocol for packet-switched computer networks and various optical transmission formats into the synchronous optical network (SONET) and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) that have become the dominant protocol formats in current optical networks. Other chapters describe fiber-optic transmission media and fiber operations; active optical components, such as light-emitting diodes and lasers; and passive optical components, such as Bragg gratings, optical interleavers, and dispersion compensators. A concluding chapter provides further information about several developing areas in optical technology, including optical wireless systems, wavelength-switching subsystems, optical storage networks, and automotive systems applications. Most chapters are somewhat standalone, with separate summary and conclusion sections, definitions of key terms, and lists of references.

This handbook is recommended as a useful supplement to an advanced undergraduate or graduate curriculum in communications and network engineering, as well as for use in an associated optical networking laboratory. It would also seem to be a helpful reference work for networking engineering professionals and others involved in the implementation and operation of the many rapidly emerging and increasingly capable products of this optical networking technology.