Multicast Routing Algorithms Based on $Q$-Factor Physical-Layer Constraints in Metro Networks

We use novel “light-tree balancing techniques” to investigate the problem of provisioning multicast sessions in metropolitan all-optical networks. The $Q$ -factor for every path of a derived light-tree is calculated taking into account several physical layer constraints in the network and using a $Q$-budgeting approach. Based on the above performance, tree balancing techniques are applied to maximize the number of multicast connections that can be admitted to the network.