Time-wavelength exploitation in optical feedback buffer with trains of packets

This paper presents the performance analysis of an optical packet switch with a feedback delay fine buffer, performed in the framework of the IST-DAVID research project. The network operation is slotted and the case of variable length data bursts fitted into trains of fixed size packets is considered. The role of time and wavelength domains for congestion resolution is investigated, showing that they must be exploited as combined tools in order to obtain good node performance and, at the same time, optimize the optical hardware requirements.