Reliability Aspects of Optical-Fiber and Networks

Optical fibre has replaced copper on point-to-point long distance lines on a one-for-one basis, with system and network designs scaled directly from our copper experience. However, fibre has introduced radical changes in almost every system parameter including repeater spacings, power feed requirements, electro-magnetic compatibility, human interdiction, multiplex equipment, corrosion induced failures, and so on. Established reliability models seldom reflect these radical improvements or afford sufficient importance to the novel and beneficial features of this new technology. These aspects are examined and results and arguments are presented that have been derived from new models developed to reflect specifically the key aspects of systems and network technologies that will have most impact on our future network thinking and planning.