Novel architecture for contention resolution of optical packet switching

Wavelength-division multiplexing appears to be the solution of choice for providing a faster networking infrastructure that can meet the explosive growth of the Internet. Future networks are expected to utilize the WDM technology for optical functionalities capable of handling multi-Teragabit signals and thus the cost, therefore it is very important that the Optical cross-connects (OXCs) and optical Add-drop Multiplexers (OADMs) have performed routing and switching capacities. Optical Packet Switch (OPS) technology allows us to rapidly deliver the enormous network bandwidth. OPS offers high-speed data rate and format transparency. But there are still many technologies and key components need to solve. In this paper we propose a novel architecture for OPS using Tunable Wavelength Converters (TWC) and Fiber Delay-Lines (FDLs). We use wavelength converters and demuxes connected with several FDLs that provide different delay periods. Input wavelengths can be tuned to different ones in order to acquire different delay periods. Wavelength converters are shown to improve the traffic performance of the switch blocks for both random and burst traffic. It can also provide contention resolution solution in wavelength and time domains. This architecture improves packet switching speed and significantly decreases the use of optical switches comparing with general architecture. Finally, the simulation results show that the packet blocking can be decreased.