Allocation of wavelength selective and convertible cross connects in optical multicast networks

To support multicast in the optical layer, a wavelength cross connect node need to be equipped with light splitters. Wavelength conversion can improve the fiber link utilization and reduce the blocking probability for both unicast and multicast traffic. However, it is of high complexity to integrate light splitters and wavelength converters in a single node. This paper investigates a new resource allocation strategy in optical multicast network: a subset of optical nodes are multicast-capable, while the other nodes are wavelength convertible. The optimal configuration of the wavelength cross-connect nodes is investigated to produce the minimal blocking probability for dynamic multicast traffic.