A, new multicast wavelength assignment algorithm in wavelength-routed WDM networks

This paper addresses the multicast wavelength assignment (MC-WA) problem in wavelength-routed WDM networks with full light splitting and wavelength conversion capabilities. Current approaches are based on the multicast switch model that supports only split-convert (S-C) switch scheme. This scheme leads to redundant wavelength conversions for a given multicast request. In this paper, we propose a new split-convert-split (S-C-S) switch scheme capable of eliminating the redundant wavelength conversions. In order to implement this new switch scheme, we develop a new multicast switch model based on the concept of sharing of light splitters and wavelength converters. Furthermore, existing multicast wavelength assignment algorithm allows only one wavelength to carry the light signal on a fiber link, the so-called single-wavelength assignment strategy. In this paper, we explore the advantages of a new multi-wavelength assignment strategy which allows multiple available wavelengths in a link to carry the multicast signal. This will reduce the number of wavelength conversions required for the multicast request. Consequently, based on the new S-C-S multicast switch model and the new multi-wavelength assignment strategy, we generalize the existing algorithms to produce a new Multicast 'Wavelength Assignment Algorithm (MWAA) to support both the new switch model and the new wavelength assignment strategy. Compared with the existing algorithm, our new algorithm is a more general one which makes the multicast wavelength assignment more flexible, covering different switch schemes and different assignment strategies. In addition, it delivers good performance in term of minimizing the number of wavelength conversions. The improvement percentage is sensitive to the maximum out-degree value of a node, D. For a 100-node multicast tree, the improvement percentage increases from 38% at D = 3 to about 73% at D = 16. This is highly significant.