A wavelength intersection cardinality based routing and wavelength assignment algorithm in optical WDM networks

Abstract

Optimum route selection and wavelength assignment is a key aspect in Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) optical network. In general the traffic forwarding decision under adaptive routing algorithms is function of the number of free channels on the links. This doesn't ensure the common wavelength availability on entire path. This paper presents a novel approach for traffic forwarding decision which ensures the wavelength continuity constraint between source and the destination node. The path selection algorithm used in this paper establishes the light path with less computational overhead and gives better throughput. The proposed algorithm is compared with traditional adaptive routing algorithm through computer simulation. Observations reveal that the new algorithm performs better by dipping Average Blocking Time of the Network (ABTN). In particular, it outperforms at higher traffic rates with limited number of channels per link.