Hybrid cross-connects and hierarchical optical networks

We consider hierarchical optical networks with different granularities of paths and their segments (wavelengths and wavebands). We propose and analyze two heuristic routing and aggregation algorithms (online and offline). The analysis is based on ring topology; its results are supported by simulations of metro (ring) and core (mesh) networks. The simulations demonstrate a significant cost reduction (from 50% in online algorithm to almost 70% in offline one). We introduce a new functional device (non-uniform waveband deaggregator) and demonstrate its advantages. We also describe a prototype hybrid optical cross-connect based on non-uniform wavebands.