Assessing the Benefits of Wavelength Selection vs. Wavelength Conversion in WDM Networks

In this paper we consider how the performance of wavelength routed networks depends on node capabilities, such as the wavelength selection and the wavelength conversion. For this purpose we propose a modified version of the shortest path algorithm for the wavelength graph (SPAWG), where "virtual links" are added for modeling the utilization and the cost of these node capabilities. Numerical results show the performance advantages in utilizing wavelength selection instead of wavelength conversion, when only one of the two capabilities can be implemented in each network node. When wavelength conversion and wavelength selection utilization is limited to a subset of network nodes to reduce the overall network cost, results indicate that sparse wavelength selection is not as beneficial as sparse wavelength conversion.