Hierarchical Grooming in Multigranular Networks

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. It has been recognized that combining multiple wavelengths into logical containers called "Wavebands" can lead to a significant reduction in the number of optical switching ports in the network, since intermediate nodes only need a single port to switch a waveband. This observation has led to the development of Multi-Granular Optical CRoss-Connects (MG-OXCs) which are capable of switching optical signals at a hierarchy of granularities: single wavelengths, single wavebands, or whole fibers.