D-Net, A New Scheme for High Data Rate Optical Local Area Networks

The development of optical fiber point-to-point communications systems has generated substantial interest in the application of optical fiber to local area networks. The feasibility of using guided wave optical technology for local area networks is explored. Various network schemes, including Fibernet, Express-Net, and C-Net, are examined. A new scheme, D-Net, is disclosed which has the advantages of high efficiency, low bounded delay, simple protocol, and implementation flexibility.