Modeling and analysis of a WSXC/WIXC hybrid OXC architecture

Abstract

Next-generation wavelength routing optical networks requires optical cross connect (OXC) to direct optical signals from any input interface to suitable output interfaces by configuring their internal embedded optical switch matrices. In this paper, we analyze a optical cross-connects switch (OXC) architecture which employs both wavelengths selective cross-connects (WSXC) and wavelength interchangeable cross-connects (WIXC) characteristics. The OXC architecture is based on a lambda plane architecture with MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems). In this architecture, WSXC and WIXC can be implemented by adopting converter pool [5] and MEMS. We analyzed the hybrid OXC architecture with focus on the blocking performance, power loss and the reliability. First, we devise and validate by simulation an analytical model to study the blocking performance for the hybrid OXC architecture with the worst case approach. In this approach, we concentrate on comparing blocking performance of hybrid OXC with that of full share-per-node OXC. The blocking analysis shows that the blocking ratio is not increased even when the number of connections between MEMSs is reduced considerably. It means that the size of MEMS which constitutes intermediate switch doesn’t need to be larger than an optimal size. By analyzing the worst case blocking model, we find a cost-effective size of MEMS. Second, we make a model for characterizing the power loses, taking into account the usage pattern and connection pattern. We then propose the usage pattern and the modified-MMG (Max-Min Greedy) connection pattern for hybrid OXC architecture. Power loss model proves that our proposed patterns have a good performance characteristic in terms of the maximum power loss of calls and the maximum loss difference between calls. Finally, we consider the reliability of the hybrid OXC. In the hybrid OXC architecture, the conventional reliability diagram model is different from the simple wavelength selective ...