Abstract

We propose a new wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optical amplifier cascade, based on erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, gain equalizing filters, and arrays of integrated waveguide amplifiers, to ensure good performance in wavelength-routed optical transport networks without the need for a complex centralized network control. To prove its efficiency, we propose this configuration for the National Science Foundation Network and we analyze its performance under critical conditions of link failure restoration. Computed results demonstrate that the self-regulating properties of this WDM amplifier cascade make these networks robust against link failures. (C) 1999 Academic Press.