The next generation SONET/SDH answers the demand for a communications network with improved data QoS, higher data rates, exceptional flexibility, efficiency and scalability, superb protection, and a data-friendly standard, by integrating the simplicity and cost-efficiency of the data network with bandwidth capacity and QoS of the synchronous optical network.

Designed for communication specialists who need to understand the implications and implementation requirements of the next generation optical network. Next Generation SONET/SDH: Voice and Data offers an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to this latest version of SONET/SDH. In this, his fourth book on optical networking, Dr. Kartalopoulos explains in simple terms the wealth of new protocols designed to optimize this new optical network, increase its efficiency, and decrease its cost.

Featuring only essential mathematics and supported by many helpful illustrations, the text:

• Explains and references the new SONET/SDH standards
• Details the many implications and improvements that the next generation of SONET-over-DWDM will bring
• Provides careful explanations of such optical systems as Data-over SONET, Packet-over-SONET, Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAST), the Generalized Framing Procedure (GFP), Link Access Procedure for SDH (LAPS), Internet and Gigabit Ethernet over SONET, Virtual Concatenation, the Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), and the Multi-Service Switching Platform (MSSP).

"The book is useful for communication professionals who are interested in improving their knowledge in this exciting field as well as students and will be a good addition to university as well as professional libraries." (E-STREAMS, July 2004)

STAMATIOS V. KARTALOPOULOS, PhD, is currently Williams Professor in Telecommunications Networking in the Telecommunications graduate program of the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa. Previously, he enjoyed a twenty-two year tenure with such telecom giants as Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies, and AT&T. Dr. Kartalopoulos's previous optical networking texts include Understanding SONET/SDH and ATM: Communications Networks for the Next Millennium, Introduction to DWDM Technology: Data in a Rainbow, Fault Detectability in DWDM: Towards Higher Signal Quality and System Reliability, and DWDM Networks, Devices, and Technology, all published by Wiley IEEE Press.