Waveband switching efficiency in WDM networks: analysis and case study

We study the optical port saving under uniform waveband switching, and derive the network and traffic conditions that make waveband switching more efficient than wavelength switching. In particular, we study a combined waveband/wavelength switching scheme that allows wavelength circuits to share waveband circuits, and results in better waveband utilization. Using a model of a typical carrier core network, we demonstrate that waveband switching provides close to 25% port saving under an aggressive growth scenario.