On dynamic wavelength assignment in wavelength-convertible multi-granular optical networks

In this paper, we study the dynamic wavelength assignment problem in waveband-switched (WBS) networks composed of wavelength-convertible multi-granular OXCs (MGOXCs). With the aim to minimize the extra port consumption and utilize wavelength converters in an efficient manner, we propose a heuristic wavelength assignment algorithm named Least Weighted Configuration Cost (LWCC). WAPG, an algorithm proposed in previous literature, is compared with LWCC in both blocking performance and converter utilization. Numerical results show that LWCC offers more benefit in waveband grouping, which results in significant improvement in terms of blocking probability.

I. Introduction

With the maturity of WDM technology, an important problem arises as well: how complex, difficult and expensive it would be to control and manage such OXCs with tremendous number of ports? Fortunately, waveband switching (WBS) is actually a key solution of this problem [1]–[3]. WBS refers to a technology to efficiently aggregate a set of wavelengths into a waveband and transmit them as a group whenever possible. Instead of using a wavelength as the basic unit, data traffic in WBS networks can be switched at waveband granularity. Furthermore, this novel switching paradigm results in a significant decrease in the number of ports at OXCs.