Dynamic Optical Networks Demonstrators: Reviewed and Classified

In this work, a number of optical switching testbeds and demonstrators are studied and analyzed. The used methodology is as follows: firstly, the principal figures of merit (FOM) of optical networks are presented, both at the high (protocol) level and at low (physical layer) level. Secondly, a framework for the classification of the several kinds of optical networks and optical switching technologies is devised. Lastly, a number of testbeds covering a broad spectrum of the literature are analyzed and classified according to this framework, and the FOMs reported are analysed. We conclude that some research has yet to be done in order to smoothly integrate the pure physical layer FOMs with the top-level network design parameters.