Dynamic contention resolution in optical burst switched networks with partial wavelength conversion and fiber delay lines

In this work, we propose a new hybrid dynamic burst contention resolution scheme. The proposed scheme is based on the notion of burst segmentation and judiciously uses optical buffering (i.e., FDLs) and partial wavelength conversion, and at the same time dynamically selects contention resolution policies in response to the network traffic load change. We assume that the just-enough-time (JET) signaling protocol is used and that switches only have a limited number of full-range wavelength converters and some switches may not have FDLs or wavelength converters. The proposed hybrid scheme does not pre-reserve FDLs or wavelength converters. Instead, it uses them on an as needed basis to reduce the wavelength converters required. Extensive simulation was performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme and to compare with other schemes. Results show that our hybrid scheme is effective.