Impact of wavelength converters in wavelength routed all-optical networks

This paper attempts to study the impact of wavelength converters in WDM wav elength routed all-optical networks. A new heuristic approach for placement of wavelength converters to reduce blocking probabilities is explored. Mul tihop virtual topology is designed to minimize the number and overall cost of the converters. Blocking probabilities for Static Lightpath Establishmen t (SLE) and Dynamic Lightpath Establishment (DLE) are analyzed. In the case of SLE, arranging lightpaths in ascending order of their path length reduc es blocking probability. Wavelength converters placed at nodes with high no dal degree further reduces the blocking probabilities. Simulation studies p erformed on 28-node USA long haul network 20-node arbitrary mesh network, a nd 19-node EON (European Optical Network) validate the observations made ea rlier. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.