Switching multi-buffer delay lines for contention resolution in all-optical deflection networks

This paper introduces a novel contention resolution architecture applicable to designing all-optical deflection networks. The approach is based on the use of fiber delay lines interconnected sequentially through 2/spl times/2 photonic space switches, an approach also known as Quadro or switched delay lines (SDL). This work presents and discusses the use of "multibuffer" fiber delay lines, so termed since their length allows multiple packets to be concurrently stored (propagated) on each line. This approach allows for increasing the total storage capacity over past SDL solutions, thus leading to significantly reduced packet deflection without an increase in the number of switches, and consequently in the nodal cost.