Autonomous intelligent transponder enabling adaptive network optimization in a live network field trial

We introduce a new transponder type for optical networks called an autonomous intelligent transponder (AIT). It is capable of autonomously adapting transmission parameters to the quality of the link over which it is transmitting. This concept fills one of the main gaps toward the realization of flexible, aware optical networks. We present experimental results to validate the AIT concept as part of a field trial in Telia Carrier’s live optical European backbone network.