If Optical-processing-enabled Networks Come

Abstract

We propose a new architectural paradigm, entitled, optical-processing-enabled for optical networks by leveraging the optical signal processing capabilities at intermediate nodes. The past two decades have witnessed the maturing of optical-bypass networking from a visionary concept to a dominant technology adopted by many carriers in both metro and backbone networks. However, in optical-bypass networking, the fact that two (or more) lightpaths crossing intermediate nodes should be maximally separated to avoid interference which is consid-ered as unwanted noise have turned out to be a fundamental limitation. In light of tremendous progresses in optical signal processing permitting precisely controlled interference between optical channels, superposition of transiting lightpaths traversing the same optical node pave the way for redefining the optical network architecture. In this context, we discuss two processing techniques, that is, optical aggregation (de-aggregation) and optical encoding (decoding) that appear to be technologically ripe for incorporating to optical nodes. Furthermore, we call for a new framework, namely, optical network design and planning 2.0, to maximize the potential benefits enabled by optical-processing networking paradigm.