Power consumption and blocking probability tradeoffs in mixed-line-rate and mixed-formats (MLR-MF) optical networks

Mixed-line-rate and mixed formats (MLR-MF) WDM optical networks can assign distinct bit rates and/or modulation formats to different lightpaths. In this paper, we compare MLR and SLR (single line rate, all the channels with the same line rate) configurations. The goal is to investigate the tradeoffs between blocking probability and power consumption. It is demonstrated that a MLR scheme can provide significant energy savings in heavy traffic load conditions, when compared to an equivalent SLR design.