AWG-based Nonblocking Shuffle-Exchange Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a scalable, nonblocking optical shuffle-exchange network design using arrayed waveguide gratings and tunable wavelength converters, demonstrating functional equivalence to classical networks and preserving key routing properties.

Contribution

It presents a novel modular design for AWG-based WDM shuffle-exchange networks, establishing their nonblocking and self-routing capabilities with efficient wavelength utilization.

Findings

Achieves 100% utilization with all input channels busy

Demonstrates AWGs are functionally equivalent to classical shuffle networks

Ensures nonblocking routing conditions are preserved

Abstract

Optical shuffle-exchange networks (SENs) have wide application in different kinds of interconnection networks. This paper proposes an approach to construct modular optical SENs, using a set of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) and tunable wavelength converters (TWCs). According to the wavelength routing property of AWGs, we demonstrate for the first time that an AWG is functionally equivalent to a classical shuffle network by nature. Based on this result, we devise a systematic method to design a large-scale wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) shuffle network using a set of small-size AWGs associated with the same wavelength set. Combining the AWG-based WDM shuffle networks and the TWCs with small conversion range, we finally obtain an AWG-based WDM SEN, which not only is scalable in several ways, but also can achieve 100% utilization when the input wavelength channels are all busy. We also study the routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem of the AWG-based WDM SEN, and prove that the self-routing property and the nonblocking routing conditions of classical SENs are preserved in such AWG-based WDM SEN.