Deflection routing in slotted self-routing networks with arbitrary topology

A deflection routing algorithm that can be applied to a novel self-routing address scheme for networks with arbitrary topology is proposed. The proposed deflection routing algorithm can be implemented all-optically using bitwise optical logic gates. Besides the primary output link selection, alternate output link choices by a packet at each node in case of deflection are also encoded in the address header. Priority classes can also be defined in the proposed address scheme. The performance of the deflection routing algorithm is studied using the AT&T North America OC-48 optical fiber network topology.