In this paper, we introduce the power-efficient design space for multicast
wavelength-routed networks. The power-efficient design space is based on th
e impact of power on the overall design of wavelength-routed networks. Two
cross-connect architectures on this design concept are investigated, One is
an existing architecture called splitter-and-delivery (SaD), The other is
a new architecture called multicast-only splitter-and-delivery (MOSaD).
The MOSaD architecture uses power splitters for multicast connections only,
allowing unicast connections to pass without enduring unnecessary power lo
sses, Our cross-connect design provides a strictly nonblocking service for
unicast connections while eliminating unnecessary power loss of the SaD cro
ss-connect.
Experimental results demonstrate that the MOSaD architecture provides subst
antial savings in cost and reduction in signal power loss with minimal effe
cts on the blocking performance of the network.