Nondegenerate buffers: An approach for building large optical memories

We describe a new methodology for analyzing optical buffers with nonuniform distribution of the delay lines, the nondegenerate buffers. Coupled with a n intelligent scheduling algorithm, it features improved system performance leading to more efficient and larger optical buffers. We demonstrate that the concept under bursty, both time-slotted and asynchronous traffic condit ions, can lead to a sizable reduction in buffer depth requirements compared to conventional solutions.