Large scale photonic transport network design based on optical paths

Optical path (OP) technologies such as the WP (wavelength path) and the VWP (virtual wavelength path) will be the key to create advanced photonic transport networks. The problem of assigning wavelengths to paths is NP-complete and significantly complicates the path accommodation process for a transmission facility network. An OP accommodation design tool that can heuristically set-up OPs within a feasible time is needed to realize OP networks. This paper demonstrates effective OP accommodation design tools applicable to large scale network design. The proposed tools not only set-up OPs, but also determine the amount of network resources such as optical fibers and cross-connect system scale needed to accommodate OPs. Some OP accommodation design results are demonstrated that elucidate the difference between the WP and VWP schemes in terms of required resources