Performance of WDM networks with photonic switching and resource distribution planning

This article evaluates the performance of Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) networks considering two different modes of photonic Switching: Optical Packet Switching (OPS) and Optical Circuit Switching (OCS). A resource distribution planning is proposed including wavelength/amplifier allocation to improve the blocking probability and to ensure signal quality. The present study considered the effects of signal attenuation and dispersion in mesh topology networks, and the actual utilization of each network link for the distribution of wavelengths and amplifiers. The physical network parameters considered had average diameter and average distance, as well as ASE noise accumulation and channel cross-talk. In order to evaluate and compare the performance between WDM-OCS and WDM-OPS, the following parameters were analyzed: delay (latency), blocking probability, and effective network-capacity utilization. Results show a reduction of blocking probability with a small increase in latency in both OCS and OPS, but the WDM-OPS combination presents results with very positive impact. Work was carried out with both analytic modeling and computer simulations.