A RMSCA algorithm for space division multiplexing elastic optical networks with core switching

Space division multiplexing elastic optical networks (SDM-EONs) have attracted much attention due to the advantages of high capacity, flexibility, and spectrum utilization. Space division multiplexing technology enhances the capacity of a single fiber link by using multi-core fiber (MCF). With the support of MCFs, SDMEONs will become an important form of future optical transmission networks.In order to reduce the blocking rate of the network, this paper proposes a routing, modulation format, spectrum and core allocation (RMSCA) algorithm based on the maximum number of available cores with core switching. The algorithm selects the spectrum block with the most available cores in the entire path for spectrum allocation by using core switching. We perform simulations on two networks, NSF-Net and UBN24, and compare them with the spectrum allocation algorithm with core switching (FF-ISC-RMSCA), which uses first-time adaptation, and the spectrum allocation algorithm with maximum number of cores available (N-ISC-RMSCA), which does not perform core switching. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the bandwidth blocking rate and has high spectrum utilization.