Resource Efficient Online Routing Enabled Translucent Space Division Multiplexing Based Elastic Optical Networks

Abstract

Abstract In the current work, we focus on the optimization of lightpath routing in a Space Division Multiplexing based Elastic Optical Network (SDM-b-EON) for which we propose an online routing algorithm, named as Resource Efficient Online Routing Algorithm with Regeneration (REORAwR) which, in addition to ensuring the routing of translucent lightpaths through spectral super-channels over spatial modes links also accounts for the presence of the transceivers in the network. The proposed REORAwR algorithm is tunable such that it can either aim to reduce the bandwidth blocking probability or can aim to minimize the overall consumed power. In regard to regeneration, we investigate two scenarios which differ in their regeneration variability level in addition to the adjustment of modulation formats as per the transmission route characteristics. We conduct extensive simulations considering two realistic network topologies and realistic transmission reach values. The obtained results demonstrate that significant benefits can be obtained in regard to the utilization of both the major network resources (spectrum and transceivers) when regeneration is conducted with complete flexibility and modulation format conversion is also permitted at every node of the SDM-b-EON. In addition, the obtained results also show that when compared to spectrum usage, in terms of the overall consumed power, the performance profits which can be obtained in a translucent SDM-b-EON are very small.