Next generation elastic optical networks: The vision of the European research project IDEALIST

Abstract

In this work we detail the strategies adopted in the European research project IDEALIST to overcome the predicted data plane capacity crunch in optical networks. In order for core and metropolitan telecommunication systems to be able to catch up with Internet traffic, which keeps growing exponentially, we exploit the elastic optical networks paradigm for its astounding characteristics: flexible bandwidth allocation and reach tailoring through adaptive line rate, modulation formats, and spectral efficiency. We emphasize the novelties stemming from the flex-grid concept and report on the corresponding proposed target network scenarios. Fundamental building blocks, like the bandwidth-variable transponder and complementary node architectures ushering those systems, are detailed focusing on physical layer, monitoring aspects, and node architecture design

Modeling an Optical Network Operating with Hybrid-Switching Paradigms

“…The connection will begin to transmit data after t setup from this time, at t DATA (1) . Moreover, if node 1 receives a BLOCK message, the connection will be rejected at t DATA (1) , after releasing the previous reserved resources at t CONFIRM (1) .…”

“…The connection will begin to transmit data after t setup from this time, at t DATA (1) . Moreover, if node 1 receives a BLOCK message, the connection will be rejected at t DATA (1) , after releasing the previous reserved resources at t CONFIRM (1) . For modeling proposes, considering a connection with service time t s , node 1 will release the connection t s time units after t DATA (1) , by assuming that all the nodes are equipped with an automatic data detection.…”

“…Moreover, if node 1 receives a BLOCK message, the connection will be rejected at t DATA (1) , after releasing the previous reserved resources at t CONFIRM (1) . For modeling proposes, considering a connection with service time t s , node 1 will release the connection t s time units after t DATA (1) , by assuming that all the nodes are equipped with an automatic data detection. As an additional feature, it could be considered a processing time for connection releasing, but it was ignored for the present model.…”

“…Moreover, the Internet of things (IoT) is expected to be practical in the short term and it will consume an additional amount of bandwidth. Based on the data obtained from backbone reference networks, operators estimate a future annual growth rate of Internet traffic around 35% [1], pressuring the optical networks to provide higher capacities with more flexibility and lower costs. In this scenario, a redesign of optical infrastructure based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is required to postpone the inevitable capacity crunch.…”

BER Degradation Detection and Failure Identification in Elastic Optical Networks

“…transmitter laser drift or filters misconfiguration, to localize the failed elements, and to take actions for preserving the services. Information retrieved by commonly used power monitors measuring received power (P Rx ) can be combined with monitoring information accessible through emerging transponders based on coherent detection [2], [3]. In particular, such transponders offer the possibility to monitor several parameters associated with connections or to the traversed links, e.g., pre-FEC BER or linear dispersion.…”