Abstract

Many network operators in the U.S. have selected lightwave as the technology of choice for an accelerated conversion to digital transmission. The use of single-mode fiber and decreasing cost for high-speed photonics have created a trend toward higher bit rates with opportunities for future growth. Accordingly, the technological emphasis has shifted somewhat from harnessing lightwaves to extending the limits of electronic components. To be sure, lightwave technology is still evolving also toward longer repeater spans using 1.5-μm photonics and more sensitive III-V avalanche diodes. Transmission of 2-Gbit/sec pseudorandom bit patterns over 130 km was achieved using a distributed feedback laser operating at 1.65μm.¹

© 1985 Optical Society of America