This comprehensive volume reveals the latest research on commercial systems with up to 160 OC-48 channels, optical ATM switch architectures, optical multiprotocol lambda and label switching, synchronous optical networks and digital hierarchy, and the Internet Protocol layer.

Optical Switching/Networking and Computing for Multimedia Systems explores

• recent developments in the routing efficiency of multihop optical networks supported by wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) with limited wavelength conversion
• different routing techniques in WDM networks for virtual topology mapping, wavelength routing and assignment, dynamic routing, wavelength conversion, quality-of-service (QoS) provisions, and multicasting
• the challenges facing both carriers and service providers in expanding optical networking capabilities for the next generation Internet
• multimedia access protocols for shared medium networks

and describes

• a methodology for integrating different medium access control protocols into a single shared medium network
• efficient accommodation of various types of multimedia traffic streams with different characteristics and QoS demands
• the design and performance of lightwave data storage using computer analysis and simulation
• predictive network modeling software to anticipate system performance
• the configurability of large networks and scaling projections

Containing over 450 citations, display equations, figures, and tables, this reference is ideal reading for optical and electrical engineers; physicists; telecommunications managers; and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.