Analysis of multicasting in photonic transport networks

The introduction of multicasting in optical transport networks is analysed and discussed. Three different optical path realisation techniques, involving the multicasting function, are examined: the Multicast Wavelength Path (MWP), the Multicast Virtual Wavelength Path (MVWP) and the Partial Multicast Virtual Wavelength Path (PVWP). A performance evaluation model is reported and results of the performance analysis are discussed. In addition several optical cross-connect architectures, allowing multicasting to be achieved, are investigated and compared. Three different types of optical switches are considered: space division, delivery and coupling, and wavelength switches. Crucial aspects as the modularity, the complexity, the costs and some transmission aspects are taken into account in the analysis.