Recent technological advances in optical devices and sub-systems, and network architectures have led to a profound transformation in all aspects of optical network communications. As the size of optical opaque networks increases, more electronic terminating and switching equipments are required, wh…
Recent technological advances in optical devices and sub-systems, and network architectures have led to a profound transformation in all aspects of optical network communications. As the size of optical opaque networks increases, more electronic terminating and switching equipments are required, which both contribute to cost (CAPEX), energy consumption, heat dissipation, physical space requirements, and operation and maintenance costs (OPEX). The current trend clearly shows an evolution towards low-cost and high capacity all-optical networks that utilize less OEO conversion. However, transparency reduces the ability of a client layer to interact with the physical layer, thus leading to limitations on network design, planning, control and management. For example, the need to address the Physical Layer Impairment (PLI) constrains the kinds of paths that can be used for routing. This interdependence between the physical and the network layers makes the designing of a transparent/translucent network in the presence of impairments a cross-layer optimization problem. The area has attracted much research interest worldwide and several cross-layer/cross-domain design approaches are emerging.
During the workshop, high level speakers from network operators, equipment vendors and academia, will share their experience and views for the evolution of the network architecture and the technologies that in the future may revolutionize the way that we design and operate the networks. This workshop will solicit contributions discussing the most significant aspects of cross-layer optimization algorithms and protocols for optical networks.