Benefits of wavelength translation in all-optical clear-channel networks

In this paper, we study the benefits of wavelength translation in all-optical networks providing clear channel circuit-switching among users. We first establish approximate analytical models for a static-routing circuit-switched network with an arbitrary topology, both with and without wavelength translation. We then study the performance of the nonblocking centralized switch, the mesh-torus network and the ring network, using the analytical models and simulation results. It is shown that the analytical models match the simulation results very well in the case of the centralized switch and the mesh network. The results of our study also show that the benefits of wavelength translation are modest for the centralized switch and the ring network. On the other hand, the results show that wavelength translation can significantly improve the performance of a large mesh-torus network.