Optimization of Survivable Filterless Optical Networks Exploiting Digital Subcarrier Multiplexing

Emerging applications are driving traffic requirements to new heights, from IoT and autonomous driving to augmented reality and Industry 4.0. Urban areas, which have a significant fraction of the telecom infrastructure capital expenditures (CAPEX), are experiencing even more growth than other segments. Noteworthy, the traffic pattern in aggregation networks is hub-and-leaf, with only a few hub nodes communicating with multiple leaf nodes. Traditional point-to-point optical solutions are not the best fit for this pattern. A novel optical technology enabling point-to-multipoint operation has recently been proposed to address this limitation. Since this solution relies on broadcasting the optical signal over a virtual tree, its optimal deployment in generic fiber topologies (with failure survivability conditions) requires specific designs. This paper describes an integer linear programming model to optimize the design of survivable metro-aggregation networks exploiting point-to-multipoint coherent transceivers. Results obtained on a mesh network show evidence that transceiver expenditures can be reduced by a figure between 25% and 60%.

Automated summary

Emerging applications are driving traffic requirements to new heights, especially in urban areas. Traditional optical solutions are not suitable for the communication needs between hub and leaf nodes in aggregation networks. A novel optical technology can address this issue, reducing transceiver expenditures through optimized designs.