Regenerator allocation in WDM networks with uncertainities in the Q factor

Abstract

The performance of the regenerator allocation algorithms in WDM networks strongly depends on the accuracy of the physical-layer information such as the Q factor. In a translucent WDM network the already installed regenerators along the lightpath are allocated based on the physical information (Q factor) in order to maximize the quality of the optical signal while minimizing the opaqueness of the network. The Q factor used by the IA-RWA algorithms is usually inaccurate due to the drift suffered by the physical-layer parameters during the operation of the optical network. In this scenario the allocation of regenerators is not optimized and then the performance of the network is worsened. New regenerator allocation schemes should be proposed in order of counteracting the inherent and unpredictable uncertainty in the physical-layer information.