Abstract
Call for Papers: Convergence
Guest Editors:
Thomas E. Darcie,
University of
Victoria Robert Doverspike,
AT&T Martin
Zirngibl,
Lucent Technologies
Coordinating Associate Editor:
Steven K. Korotky,
Lucent Technologies
Submission Deadline: 1 January 2006
Convergence has become a popular theme in telecommunications, one
that has broad implications across all segments of the industry. Continual
evolution of technology and applications continues to erase lines between
traditionally separate lines of business, with dramatic consequences for
vendors, service providers, and consumers. Spectacular advances in all layers of
optical networking-leading to abundant, dynamic, cost-effective, and reliable
wide-area and local-area connections-have been essential drivers of this
evolution. As services and networks continue to evolve towards some notion of
convergence, the continued role of optical networks must be explored.
One vision of convergence renders all information in a common packet
(especially IP) format. This vision is driven by the proliferation of data
services. For example, time-division multiplexed (TDM) voice becomes VoIP.
Analog cable-television signals become MPEG bits streamed to digital set-top
boxes. T1 or OC-N private lines migrate to Ethernet virtual private networks
(VPNs). All these packets coexist peacefully within a single packet-routing
methodology built on an optical transport layer that combines the flexibility
and cost of data networks with telecom-grade reliability. While this vision is
appealing in its simplicity and shared widely, specifics of implementation raise
many challenges and differences of opinion. For example, many seek to expand the
role of Ethernet in these transport networks, while massive efforts are underway
to make traditional TDM networks more data friendly within an evolved but
backward-compatible SDH/SONET (synchronous digital hierarchy and synchronous
optical network) multiplexing hierarchy.
From this common underlying theme follow many specific
instantiations. Examples include the convergence at the physical, logical, and
operational levels of voice and data, video and data, private-line and virtual
private-line, fixed and mobile, and local and long-haul services. These trends
have many consequences for consumers, vendors, and carriers. Faced with large
volumes of low-margin data traffic mixed with traditional voice services, the
need for capital conservation and operational efficiency drives carriers away
from today's separate overlay networks for each service and towards "converged"
platforms. For example, cable operators require transport of multiple services
over both hybrid fiber coax (HFC) and DWDM transport technologies. Local
carriers seek an economical architecture to deliver integrated services on
optically enabled broadband-access networks. Services over wireless-access
networks must coexist with those from wired networks. In each case, convergence
of networks and services inspires an important set of questions and challenges,
driven by the need for low cost, operational efficiency, service performance
requirements, and optical transport technology options.
This Feature Issue explores the various interpretations and
implications of network convergence pertinent to optical networking. How does
convergence affect the evolution of optical transport-layer and control
approaches? Are the implied directions consistent with research vision for
optical networks? Substantial challenges remain. Papers are solicited across the
broad spectrum of interests. These include, but are not limited to:
- Architecture, design and performance of optical wide-area-network
(WAN), metro, and access networks
- Integration strategies for multiservice transport platforms
- Access methods that bridge traditional and emerging services
- Network signaling and control methodologies
- All-optical packet routing and switching techniques
Manuscript Submission
To submit to this special issue, follow the
normal procedure for submission to JON, indicating "Convergence feature" in the
"Comments" field of the online submission form. For all other questions relating
to this feature issue, please send an e-mail to jon@osa.org, subject line
"Convergence."
© 2005 Optical Society of America
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