A Hierarchical Model for Multigranular Optical Networks

The authors present a hierarchical algorithm for grooming light-paths into wavebands, and routing wavebands over a network of multi-granular switching nodes. This algorithm focuses on lowering the number of wavelengths W and ports over the network while being conceptually simple, scalable, and consistent with the way networks are operated and controlled in practice. Their experiments indicate that this algorithm easily scales across different waveband and network sizes. Future optical networks are expected to carry traffic demands that range in size from sub-to super-wavelength. To ensure that resources are utilized efficiently, traffic demands must be aggregated and carried over the network in a cost-effective manner.