System and Method for Wavelength Conversion and Switching

Abstract

A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising collecting wavelength availability information associated with a wavelength switched optical network (WSON), receiving a path computation request to transport a signal through the WSON, calculating at least one route through the WSON for the signal, and assigning at least one wavelength for the signal to use along the route. Also disclosed is a network comprising a first path computation element (PCE) configured to compute at least one route for a signal between a source and a destination, and a second PCE in communication with the first PCE, wherein the second PCE is configured to receive the route from the first PCE and assign at least one wavelength to the route.

1 . A network component comprising:
 at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising:   collecting wavelength availability information associated with a wavelength switched optical network (WSON);   receiving a path computation request to transport a signal through the WSON;   calculating at least one route through the WSON for the signal; and   assigning at least one wavelength for the signal to use along the route.   
     
     
         2 . The network component of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength availability information is collected using a routing protocol. 
     
     
         3 . The network component of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength availability information is collected using a management protocol. 
     
     
         4 . The network component of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength availability information comprises wavelength availability information for at least one network element, at least one link, or both. 
     
     
         5 . The network component of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength availability information comprises a connectivity matrix, at least one per-port wavelength restriction, a WDM link wavelength range, a WDM link channel spacing, a laser transmitter range, a wavelength conversion capability, a maximum bandwidth per wavelength, and a wavelength availability. 
     
     
         6 . The network component of  claim 4 , wherein the path computation request is received directly from the network element. 
     
     
         7 . The network component of  claim 6 , wherein the path computation request comprises a path computation element protocol object. 
     
     
         8 . The network component of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength availability information is collected using a bit map. 
     
     
         9 . A network comprising:
 a first path computation element (PCE) configured to compute at least one route for a signal between a source and a destination; and   a second PCE in communication with the first PCE, wherein the second PCE is configured to receive the route from the first PCE and assign at least one wavelength to the route.   
     
     
         10 . The network of  claim 9  further comprising: a plurality of network elements in communication with the first PCE, the second PCE, or both. 
     
     
         11 . The network of  claim 10 , wherein the first PCE, the second PCE, or both are configured to collect wavelength availability information associated with the network elements using a routing protocol. 
     
     
         12 . The network of  claim 10 , wherein the first PCE, the second PCE, or both are configured to collect wavelength availability information associated with the network elements using a management protocol. 
     
     
         13 . The network of  claim 10 , wherein the network elements transport the signal between the source and the destination using the route and the wavelength. 
     
     
         14 . The network of  claim 10 , wherein the network elements do not comprise any wavelength converters. 
     
     
         15 . The network of  claim 10 , wherein the network elements do not comprise any optical-electric-optical converters. 
     
     
         16 . The network of  claim 9 , wherein the network comprises a plurality of network elements that transport the signal using the route and the wavelength, and wherein the first PCE is located in one of the network elements, the second PCE is located in another one of the network elements, or both. 
     
     
         17 . The network of  claim 9 , wherein the first PCE computes a plurality of routes between the source and the destination, and wherein the second PCE assigns the wavelength to only one of the routes. 
     
     
         18 . A network comprising:
 a path computation element (PCE) configured to compute at least one route for a signal between a source and a destination; and   a plurality of network elements in communication with the PCE, wherein at least some of the network elements are configured to receive the route from the PCE, assign at least one wavelength to the route, and transport the signal between the source and the destination using the route and the wavelength.   
     
     
         19 . The network of  claim 18 , wherein the network elements are further configured to communicate wavelength availability information to the PCE, and wherein the wavelength availability information comprises a connectivity matrix and a wavelength conversion capability. 
     
     
         20 . The network of  claim 19 , wherein the wavelength availability information is propagated using Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) signaling protocol.