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Spectrum fragmentation issue in flexible optical networks: analysis and good practices

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Abstract

Flexible grid optical networks allow an efficient utilization of spectrum resources using 12.5-GHz frequency slot multiples instead of a fixed spacing, introducing however spectrum fragmentation (SF). In the literature, SF is often assumed to be a serious problem specifically in a dynamic traffic context. It is mostly related to the bandwidth blocking ratio due to the lack of relevant comparison criteria and efficient metrics. Besides, in operator core network, traffic behavior is instead incremental and it is forecasted for short periods of time in addition to some operational constraints that make of it a specific context. In this work, we present an exhaustive analysis and an accurate evaluation for SF issue in flexible optical networks. We also propose new metric for fragmentation measurements and some approaches to address such a problem.

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Notes

  1. In the case of a real network, the metrics can be applied on all the path calculating the sum of links corresponding values.

  2. Maximum reach of three-slot transponders.

  3. The gap between OD FGSC and BF FGSC is greater than the one between BF GL and OD GL.

  4. OD FGSC and BF GL are compared in terms of SF since they are comparable in terms of saved spectrum.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank Edoardo Bonetto for his helpful suggestions and comments. This work was partly supported by the DGCIS, in the frame of the CELTIC-Plus project SASER-SIEGFRIED.

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Correspondence to Djamel Amar.

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Amar, D., Le Rouzic, E., Brochier, N. et al. Spectrum fragmentation issue in flexible optical networks: analysis and good practices. Photon Netw Commun 29, 230–243 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11107-015-0487-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11107-015-0487-1

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