Global standards for automatically switched optical networks enable new market services
27 March 2002
News
New global standards for Automatically Switched Optical Networks (ASON) and their control mechanisms have been adopted as a result of an aggressive work programme initiated by ITU to support bandwidth-on-demand applications. The standards add switching capability to the installed optical fibre infrastructure.
ASON control mechanisms provide support for both switched wavelength and sub-wavelength connection services in transport networks to provide bandwidth on-demand. Wavelength connection services make use of an entire wavelength of light while sub-wavelength services use a channel within a wavelength.
The ASON control mechanisms also enable fast optical restoration. Traditionally, transport networks have used protection rather than restoration to provide reliability for connections. With protection, connections are moved to dedicated or shared routes in the event of a failure of a fibre or network equipment. With restoration, the endpoints can 'redial' to re-establish the connection through an alternative route as soon as a loss of the original connection is detected.
Restoration is a defined advantage for carriers as it makes better use of the network capacity and, with this new standard, it can be performed much faster than with most proprietary restoration systems available today.
www.itu.int
Further reading:
From the Editor's desk: Growth through inclusivity
Technews Publishing
News
As the engineering fields in South Africa continue to make progress toward gender equality, we are finally starting to see the presence and contribution of women in engineering and industrial roles.
Read more...
KITE 2025 proves its value
News
The KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) 2025 confirmed its place as KwaZulu-Natal’s must-attend industrial event, drawing thousands of industry professionals.
Read more...
Otto Wireless Solutions announces promotion of Miyelani Kubayi to technical director
Otto Wireless Solutions
News
Otto Wireless Solutions is proud to announce the promotion of Miyelani Kubayi to the position of technical director, effective 1 August 2025.
Read more...
DMASS experiences continued slowdown
News
The European electronic components distribution market continued its downward trajectory in the second quarter of 2025, according to new figures released by DMASS.
Read more...
World-first zero second grid-to-backup power switch
News
JSE-listed cable manufacturer, South Ocean Electric Wire, has completed a solar installation it says marks a global first: a seamless switch from grid to backup power in zero seconds.
Read more...
News
OMC deploys cobots to improve throughput 10x, while maintaining quality and ensuring consistency of fibre optic production.
Read more...
Cobots for opto production line
News
OMC deploys cobots to improve throughput 10x, while maintaining quality and ensuring consistency of fibre optic production.
Read more...
SACEEC celebrates standout industrial innovation on the KITE 2025 show floor
News
Exhibitor innovation took the spotlight at the KITE 2025 as the South African Capital Equipment Export Council announced the winners of its prestigious New Product & Innovation Awards.
Read more...
SA team for International Olympiad in Informatics
News
The Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa has named the team that will represent South Africa at this year’s International Olympiad in Informatics.
Read more...
Anritsu and Bluetest to support OTA measurement
News
Anritsu Company and Sweden-based Bluetest AB have jointly developed an Over-The-Air measurement solution to evaluate the performance of 5G IoT devices compliant with the RedCap specification.
Read more...
printer friendly version