Abstract

There have been several experimental and theoretical studies focusing on WDM metro network optical layer engineering.^1–3 Most of these have been limited to either small^1,2 or rather symmetrical networks.³ Furthermore, the above sample networks were not designed based on actual or projected traffic demands in the metro environment, but rather physical layer designs that were intended to demonstrate specific technical virtues. In this paper, we present for the first time an effective top-down simulation approach that enables the design of a 29-node, 11-Tb/s US mesh metro network in a transparent way based on realistic network requirements. Projected traffic demands based on current known demands and existing Central Offices (CO) are used to derive network architectures for a number of different US carriers for year 2005. A physical layer topology, based on network dimensioning, is then superimposed on the network architectures and the network is engineered for 100% of the required optical connections. This involves engineering paths with the longest length as well as the ones with the maximum number of optical hops. It was shown in the derived mesh network topology that transparent paths with maximum lengths of 465 km and paths with maximum number of hops equal to twelve were possible, thus enabling all other paths in a 29-node mesh WDM metro optical network.

© 2002 Optical Society of America