The upcoming
convergence of telecom /datacom has
exerted incredible demands on cost
containment requiring fundamental
paradigm shifts in the metro/ long
haul deployment technologies. While
some physicists still yearn for the
ideal all transparent optical
network with the ever-attractive
tunable lasers, the ethereal optical
switch and quantum computing,
reality check and price to
performance metric necessitates our
deeper soul-searching to have a
sustainable business model to timely
bring in positive cash flow.
The author
believes that a hybrid set of
diverse technologies is required
rather than a pure optical play. To
substantiate this premise, we review
the multi-service nature of metro
network by summarizing the salient
technologies that needs be
supported. Specifically we compare
DSL/ GEthernet/storage SAN, optical
wireless, 802.11x (WiFi), 802.16 (WiMAX),
versus PON, the passive optical
network. We also highlight examples
of new unifying protocols in GFP
generic framing protocol), and the
fast-to-market platform in ATCA
(advanced telecom computing
architecture) as championed by Intel
and Motorola. Device trends and new
device examples would be given in
terms of quantum cascade devices,
high characteristic temperature
GaInNAs lasers and optical
interconnect for high speed
backplanes.
To leverage on
funding these challenging
technologies, the non-civilian
defense market would also be
described especially in terms of
Optical Wireless and Under-Water
applications. Description of optics
would not be complete without the
mention of the display arena, where
GaN based devices would be
highlighted as the future potential
replacement of the light bulb.
This new era
would call for innovation not only
in device technologies, but also new
business models and shifts in the
center of gravity of the design and
manufacture locations to meet the
challenges of the coming decade
