Towards optimal design of wavelength-convertible optical switches for the all-optical next-generation Internet

Optical switches and wavelength converters are recognized as two important DWDM components in the all-optical networks. Optical switches perform the key functions of flexible routing, reconfigurable optical cross-connect (OXC), network protection and restoration, etc. in optical networks. Wavelength converters are used to shift one incoming wavelength to another outgoing wavelength when this needs to be done at an OXC node. They can effectively alleviate the blocking probability and help to resolve contention at the output port of switches. The deployment of wavelength converters within optical switches provides robust routing, switching: and network management in the optical layer, which is critical to the emerging all-optical Internet. However, the high cost of wavelength converters at the current stage of fabrication technology is a key issue when we design node architectures for an optical network. This paper proposes a new wavelength-convertible switch and investigates the most cost-effective use of wavelength converters