Issue 3 June 2001 A-1
A
A SONET Overview A
Overview 10
This section briefly describes the Synchronous Optical Network (SONET).
History 10
In the early 1980's, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recognized
the need for an optical signal standard for future broadband transmission. The
ANSI T1X1 subcommittee began working on optical signal and interface
standards in 1984. In 1985, Telcordia proposed a network approach to fiber
system standardization to T1X1. The proposal suggested a hierarchical family of
signals whose rates would be integer multiples of a basic modular signal. The
proposal further suggested a synchronous multiplexing technique, leading to the
coining of the term
Synchronous Optical NETwork
(SONET).
The International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee (CCITT) first
showed interest in 1986. Conferences held through 1987 and 1988 resulted in
coordinated specifications for both the American National Standard (SONET) and
the CCITT-International Standard, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH).
Approval of both sets of standards occurred in late 1988.
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