Graph Problems arising from Wavelength-routing in All-optical Networks

Abstract

This paper surveys the theoretical results obtained for wavelength--routing all--optical networks, presents some new results and proposes several open problems. In all--optical networks the vast bandwidth available is utilized through wavelength division multiplexing: a single physical optical link can carry several logical signals, provided that they are transmitted on different wavelengths. The information, once transmitted as light, reaches its destination without being converted to electronic form inbetween, thus reaching high communication speed. We consider both networks with arbitrary topologies and particular networks of practical interest. 1 Introduction Motivation. Optical networks offer the possibility of interconnecting hundreds to thousands of users, covering local to wide area, and providing capacities exceeding those of traditional technologies by several orders of magnitude. Traditional networks use the electrical form to switch signals which can be modulated electron...