Abstract:
Hybrid optical cross-connects (OXCs) incorporating the both all-optical (OOO) and electrical (OEO) switching capabilities are being considered as a cost-effective and scalable solution for emerging all-optical networks. Hierarchical networks consisting of hybrid OXCs can provide for multi-granularity paths (TDM, wavelength and waveband). Since waveband paths can be switched optically by the OOO layer of the OXC, this architecture has a potential of significant reduction of equipment cost. The amount of the cost reduction depends on proper aggregation of wavelengths into wavebands and routing that takes into account optical transmission impairments. We present and explore an algorithm for waveband aggregation using simulations on mesh networks, and introduce a new concept of non-uniform wavebands (that further amplifies the benefits of aggregation). We also analyze two transmission impairments aware routing mechanism for these networks.
Moreover, we propose following two novel mechanisms to control hierarchical optical networks more efficiently: 1) a new automatic hierarchical path setup mechanism, 2) a protection mechanism for the hierarchical networks. We also present the results of protection experiments for a 32-node network emulated in 32 PCs, in each of which Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) protocols has been implemented.
Bio:Soichiro Araki received B. E. and M. E. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Kyoto University, Kyoto Japan, in 1987 and 1989, respectively. In 1989, he joined NEC Corporation's Opto-Electronics Research Laboratories, Kawasaki, Japan. In 1995, he spent a year as a visiting researcher at NEC Research Institute in New Jersey, where he contributed to the analysis of communication performance in PC-clusters. Since 1996, he has been developing a high-speed switching system based on optical switching techniques. He is now engaged in the research and development of WDM optical networks and WDM node architectures. He is currently a principal researcher in Networking Research Laboratories, NEC Corporation. Mr. Araki is a member of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers of Japan.