Serialised batch scheduling algorithm for optical burst switching networks

A new scheduling algorithm called serialised batch scheduling (SBS) for optical burst switching (OBS) networks is proposed. SBS aggregates and serialises bursts along a shared path into one composite burst, which is switched as one unit. There are two major processes in SBS, namely, batching and serialising. While the batching process chooses a set of bursts to form the composite burst, the serialising process determines how to organise the OBS bursts within the composite burst and generates a corresponding control packet for this burst. Several SBS batching and serialising schemes are introduced and analysed here. The study by the authors shows that the guard band and burst overlap can be reduced in the SBS and, thus, the packet loss rate and the number of switch reconfigurations can be significantly reduced. In addition, it is indicated that the proposed SBS algorithm can be coupled with other OBS scheduling algorithms and reduce the requirements for a high-speed optical switch in OBS networks.