Experimental demonstration of centralized and distributed impairment-aware control plane schemes for dynamic transparent optical networks

Abstract

In transparent optical networks, the signal experiences the impact of various phenomena that degrade its quality. Considering the impact of physical layer impairments (PLIs) on transparent [1] and highly dynamic optical networks [2] has received much attention recently. The main innovation of the DICONET project [3] is the development of a dynamic Network Planning and Operation Tool (NPOT) that incorporates real-time assessments of the optical layer performance into Impairment Aware Routing and Wavelength Assignment (IA-RWA) algorithms. The NPOT is integrated into a unified extended Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS)-based control plane. The work in [1] reported the result of a centralized integration scheme for transparent networks considering various PLIs, while [4] only investigated a distributed GMPLS integration for translucent networks. This paper demonstrates the performance of centralized and distributed impairment-aware control plane approaches over a realistic 14-node experimental test-bed under dynamic traffic conditions.Initial simulation results were reported in [5] and experimental results are reported here. The test-bed integrates the developed NPOT engine, the extended GMPLS control protocols required for supporting the innovative DICONET solutions and the various communication protocols to allow all DICONET building blocks run in an orchestrated fashion. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, impairment-aware control plane schemes with integrated real-time Quality of Transmission (QoT) estimator are demonstrated.