Dynamic impairment-aware RMCSA in multi-core fiber-based elastic optical networks

Abstract

Space division multiplex elastic optical networks (SDM-EONs) based on multi-core fiber (MCF) have been regarded as one of the promising solutions to address the future network capacity crunch. Inter-core crosstalk (XT) and intra-core physical layer impairments (PLI) exist in the MCF and degrade the quality of transmission (QoT) for lightpaths. Meanwhile, the establishment of new lightpaths affects the QoT of existing lightpaths due to dynamic spectrum occupancy in the network. This paper focuses on resource allocation under the constraint of physical impairment. Firstly, a dynamic impairment (DI) evaluation model is established to assess the level of impairment influence in terms of dynamic spectrum occupancy. Then, a DI-aware routing, modulation, core, and spectrum allocation (RMCSA) algorithm is proposed, which considers the influence of new lightpath establishment on existing lightpaths. Here, the core and spectrum resources with the least impact of impairment on existing lightpaths are selected preferentially to improve the QoT of lightpaths. Simulation results indicate that the proposed DI-aware RMCSA algorithm reduces the accumulated physical impairment on existing lightpaths, providing a lower probability of blocking and greater spectrum utilization.