All-optical cross-connect using feed-forward optical buffers with and without QoS: an analysis

An analytical model is derived to evaluate the performance of an optical switch using a feed-forward fiber delay line (FDL) per output for contention resolution. Two different forwarding algorithms for the switch are presented and evaluated: a simple forwarding algorithm (SFA) that is easier to implement, and an enhanced algorithm that provides better performance in terms of both packet loss probability and packet delay. The analytical model can be utilized with both packet and burst switching schemes to characterize the performance of the proposed architecture. Results show that the proposed architecture reduces the packet loss probability compared to that without FDLs. Finally, the same architecture is shown to be capable of supporting Quality of Service (QOS).