p-Cycles, "ring-mesh hybrids, and mining:" options for new and evolving optical transport networks

This paper gives an overview of three new concepts in which ring and mesh-like aspects are both present in the network architecture or strategy. p-Cycles yield mesh-like efficiency while retaining ring-like speed. Forcer clipping ring-mesh hybrids enhance overall capacity efficiency. Ring-mining gets valuable re-use of ring capacity while evolving to a mesh. These ideas provide operators with new options for planning or evolving optical transport networks.