Allocating wavelength converters in shared-per-link structure in WDM networks

The authors discuss the optimal allocation of wavelength converters in shared-per-link structure in WDM networks. In particular, they consider the following two cases: given the total number of converters available in the system, or given the number of converters available at each node in the system, allocate them properly at the outgoing links of the nodes, such that the total sum of traffic of connections getting through the system is maximised. An optimisation algorithm is proposed to solve the first case, and a heuristic algorithm is developed to find an approximate solution for the second case. Simulation results have shown the effectiveness of the solutions.