Abstract

In this article, we focus on the design of different node architectures suitable for few-mode multi-core fibers (FM-MCFs) based networks. Both dimensions, core and mode, open different possible ways to group spatial channels depending on the physical impairments of the space-division multiplexed (SDM) optical fibers. Moreover, the channel switching across a group of cores/modes at once and the end-to-end routing are not only mandatory aspects for certain spatial channels, but also recommendable in order to reduce the node complexity/cost. Thus, we propose various SDM-capable node architectures based on versatile and homogeneous spatial group configurations. Then, a unified physical-layer-aware Quality of Transmission (QoT) estimator is formulated to not only evaluate these node architectures in a simulation tool, but also validate them in a real experimental environment using a stateful path computation element (PCE) as a central controller. The obtained results disclose that the cost-efficient node design parameter, namely, the size of the spatial group ${\boldsymbol{G}}$ , depends on both the network and traffic profile size. Specifically, for a national optical backbone network equipped with a homogeneous and hexagonally arranged 6-weakly-coupled modes and 7-weakly-coupled cores fibers, ${\boldsymbol{G\ }}$ equals 6, while for a continental backbone network, ${\boldsymbol{G}}$ can raise up to 14. In any case, we demonstrate that the cost-benefit tradeoff in node design must be analyzed in detail in order to meet the huge traffic volumes of the next years.

QoT-aware performance evaluation of spectrally–spatially flexible optical networks over FM-MCFs

Farhad Arpanaei, Nahid Ardalani, Hamzeh Beyranvand, and Behnam Shariati
J. Opt. Commun. Netw. 12(8) 288-300 (2020)

Evaluation of Core-Continuity-Constrained ROADMs for Flex-Grid/MCF Optical Networks

F.-J. Moreno-Muro, R. Rumipamba-Zambrano, P. Pavón-Marino, J. Perelló, J. M. Gené, and S. Spadaro
J. Opt. Commun. Netw. 9(11) 1041-1050 (2017)

Unified Architecture of an Integrated SDM-WSS Employing a PLC-Based Spatial Beam Transformer Array for Various Types of SDM Fibers

Masahiko Jinno and Yutaka Mori
J. Opt. Commun. Netw. 9(2) A198-A206 (2017)

Flex-Grid/SDM Backbone Network Design with Inter-Core XT-Limited Transmission Reach

Jordi Perelló, Joan M. Gené, Albert Pagès, Jose A. Lazaro, and Salvatore Spadaro
J. Opt. Commun. Netw. 8(8) 540-552 (2016)

Technoeconomic analysis of spatial channel networks (SCNs): benefits from spatial bypass and spectral grooming [Invited]

Masahiko Jinno, Yu Asano, Yoshiki Azuma, Takahiro Kodama, and Riku Nakai
J. Opt. Commun. Netw. 13(2) A124-A134 (2021)