In an all-optical network, installing multiple fibers in each link has proven to be cost-effective, since the cost of the fiber is relatively low compared to the installation cost. In this paper, the author proposes an analytical model to evaluate the performance of a multifiber bufferless optical-packet switch in which wavelength converters are shared per node. The analytical model, validated by simulations, evaluates the packet-loss probability of the switch as a function of the number of converters. They also evaluate the savings in terms of tuneable optical-wavelength converters of a multifiber switch, with respect to a single-fiber switch, as a function of selected parameters related to the main switch and to the traffic load (number of input lines, number of fibers-per-input lines, number of wavelengths per fiber, traffic load,...). The results show savings, which can exceed 50%.

© 2006 IEEE

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