METHOD FOR ROUTING AND SPECTRUM ASSIGNMENT

摘要

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing a spectrum assignment and route selection algorithm in an optical WDM network. The optical WDM is assigned an optical band of frequencies. In accordance to the present invention, a new spectrum assignment in the optical band always adjoins a spectrum assignment previously allocated. The very first spectrum assignment may be made to start with one end frequency in the optical band. Given a spectrum demand, one or more spectrum assignments are identified and one or more feasible routes are determined. Among the one or more feasible routes, an optimal route may be selected based on a set of pre- defined criteria. The spectrum assignment and route selection algorithm disclosed herein reduces computational complexities and improves spectrum efficiencies.