Design of a WDM network using a multiple ring approach

This paper introduces a new all-optical network design approach using a multiple ring concept as an alternative to the present mesh network scheme. It is shown that several different design alternatives using multiple rings exist and they can be classified into two categories according to the way in which the traffic is accommodated. The one that offers the most simple control and management has been investigated and is discussed here. It is shown that this approach can be very useful for the design and implementation of wavelength division multiplexing networks as it offers many useful advantages of the ring structure while is still able to achieve the high efficiency of network bandwidth usage due to high connectivity in the mesh topology. For example, in the sample network considered here the multiple ring scheme only requires less than 10% extra capacity in comparison to the pure mesh design.