In a wavelength-routed optical network, a transmitted signal remains in the optical domain over the entire route (lightpath) assigned to it between its source and destination nodes. The optical signal may have to traverse a number of crossconnect switches (XCSs), fiber segments, and optical amplifiers, e.g., erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). Thus, while propagating through the network, the signal may degrade in quality as it encounters crosstalk at the XCSs and also picks up amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise at the EDFAs. Since these impairments continue to degrade the signal quality as it progresses toward its destination, the received bit error rate (BER) at the destination node might become unacceptably high. Previous work on the lightpath routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem assumed an ideal physical layer and ignored these transmission impairments. The main contribution of our work is to incorporate the role of the physical layer in setting up lightpaths by employing appropriate models of multiwavelength optical devices (XCSs and EDFAs) such that the BER of a candidate lightpath can be computed, in advance, to determine if this lightpath should be used for the call. Features from existing RWA algorithms are integrated with our on-line BER calculation mechanism. Our simulation studies indicate that employing BER-based call-admission algorithms has a significant impact on the performance of realistic networks.

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Impact of transmission impairments on the teletraffic performance of wavelength-routed optical networks

Proposes de Bruijn graphs as logical topologies for multihop lightwave networks. After deriving bounds on the throughput and delay performance of any logical topology, the authors compute the throughput and delay performance of de Bruijn graphs for two different routing schemes and compare it with their bounds and the performance of shufflenets. For a given maximum nodal in- and out-degree and average number of hops between stations, a logical topology based on a de Bruijn graph can support a larger number of stations than a shufflenet and this number is close to the maximum that can be supported by any topology. The authors also propose de Bruijn graphs as good physical topologies for wavelength routing lightwave networks consisting of all-optical routing nodes interconnected by point-to-point fiber links. The worst-case loss experienced by a transmission is proportional to the maximum number of hops (diameter). For a given maximum nodal in- and out-degree and diameter, a physical topology based on a de Bruijn graph can support a large number of stations using a relatively small number of wavelengths. >

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Lightwave networks based on de Bruijn graphs

Multicasting in the optical domain has been recently shown to provide substantial savings in terms of the network-wide average packet hop distance and the total number of transceivers in the network. Current proposed multicasting architectures [e.g., splitter-and-delivery (SaD)] employ power splitting mechanisms which have the side effect of high fabrication cost due to the large number of splitters and the need for optical amplifiers. We propose a low-cost novel architecture called tap-and-continue (TaC) for realizing multicasting. This architecture provides a natural evolution from current unicast cross-connects and is based on tapping devices. We prove that any multicasting session can be feasibly realized in networks employing only TaC cross-connects, and the problem of finding the optimal multiple-destination minimum cost trail in such networks is NP-complete. Therefore, we develop a 4-approximation algorithm for multiple-destination routing. Simulation results demonstrate that the TaC cross-connect provides a realistic, cost-effective approach for implementing multicasting with negligible blocking degradation especially in multifiber networks.

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Cost-effective implementation of multicasting in wavelength-routed networks

In this paper, we introduce the power-efficient design space for multicast wavelength-routed networks. The power-efficient design space is based on the impact of power on the overall design of wavelength-routed networks. Two cross-connect architectures on this design concept are investigated. One is an existing architecture called splitter-and-delivery (SaD). The other is a new architecture called multicast-only splitter-and-delivery (MOSaD). The MOSaD architecture uses power splitters for multicast connections only, allowing unicast connections to pass without enduring unnecessary power losses. Our cross-connect design provides a strictly nonblocking service for unicast connections while eliminating unnecessary power loss of the SaD cross-connect. Experimental results demonstrate that the MOSaD architecture provides substantial savings in cost and reduction in signal power loss with minimal effects on the blocking performance of the network.

Power-efficient design of multicast wavelength-routed networks

Photonic technologies are reviewed that could become important components of future telecommunication systems. Photonic devices and systems are divided into two classes according to the function they perform. The first class, relational, refers to devices, that map the input channels to the output channels under external control. The second class, logic, perform some type or combination of Boolean logic functions. Some of the strengths and weaknesses of operating in the photonic domain are presented. Relational devices and their applications are discussed. Optical logic devices and their potential applications are reviewed. >

R. Spanke

Papers

Architectures for guided-wave optical space switching systems