Nondegenerate buffers: an approach for building large optical memories

We describe a new methodology for analyzing optical buffers with nonuniform distribution of the delay lines, the nondegenerate buffers. Coupled with an intelligent scheduling algorithm, it features improved system performance leading to more efficient and larger optical buffers. We demonstrate that the concept under bursty, both time-slotted and asynchronous traffic conditions, can lead to a sizable reduction in buffer depth requirements compared to conventional solutions.