Regular multicast multihop lightwave networks

A class of multicast multihop lightwave networks (MLNs) is presented. These networks have a two-layered architecture, with the upper “logical layer” implemented electronically, and supported by an underlying “physical layer” implemented as a purely optical network. The unique feature studied is that the logical topology has a regular multicast structure, which is created through the use of optical multicast in the physical layer. It is shown that this type of logical topology yields networks which have significantly superior performance features, when compared with either purely optical networks, or with multihop networks based on point-to-point connections. Special regular logical topologies based on Kautz hypergraphs are used in designing the networks