We propose a packet-based inverse multiplexing method to allow scalable network access with a bigger-pipe physical interface. The method is based on aggregation at the physical layer (APL) that fragments an original packet-flow and distributes the fragments among an adequate numbers of physical links or networks. It allows us to share wavelengths and/or bandwidth resources in optical networks. Its technical feasibility at the speed of newly standardized 100 Gb/s Ethernet (100 GbE) is successfully evaluated by implementing the inverse multiplexing logic functions on a prototype board. We demonstrate super-high-definition video streaming and huge file transfer by transmitting 100 GbE MAC frames over multiple 10 GbE physical links via inverse multiplexing.

We propose a scalable parallel interface that provides an ideal aggregated bandwidth link for an application. The scalable parallel interface uses time information to align packets and allows dynamic lane and/or path change, a large difference in transmission delays among lanes, and so on. The basic performance of the scalable parallel interface in 10 Gb/s 2 lanes is verified using an estimation board that is newly developed to evaluate the basic functions used in a Terabit LAN. The evaluation shows that the scalable parallel interface achieves a very low delay variation that is almost the same as that under back-to-back conditions. The difference in the delay variation between the scalable parallel interface and the back-to-back condition is approximately 10 ns when the transmission delay time varies from 10 µs to 1 s.