A new multiwavelength multicast wavelength assignment (MMWA) algorithm in wavelength-routed WDM networks

This paper addresses the multicast wavelength assignment problem in wavelength-routed WDM networks with full light splitting and wavelength conversion capabilities. Current approach is based on the assumption that only one available wavelength can be used in a link. This assumption is rather restrictive. In this paper, we liberalize the assumption by allowing multiple available wavelengths in a link to carry the multicast signal. Consequently, based on a multicast-capable switch model, we develop a new multiwavelength multicast wavelength assignment (MMWA) algorithm to carry the multicast signal. Simulation results show that our new algorithm outperforms the existing MNWC algorithm by making significant reduction of wavelength conversion cost. The improvement percentage of MMWA is sensitive to the maximum out-degree value of a node, D. For L=10 (L being the maximum number of available wavelengths on each link), the improvement percentage increases from 20% at D=4 to about 70% at D=16. This is a significant improvement.