More Capacity from Less Spectrum: Tapping into Optical-layer Intelligence in Optical Computing-Communication Integrated Network

TL;DR

This paper proposes an innovative optical network architecture that integrates computing and communication at the optical layer, leveraging optical-layer intelligence to enhance spectral and computational efficiency in next-generation networks.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of optical-layer intelligence for integrated computing and communication, along with a mathematical model for optimizing optical aggregation in such networks.

Findings

Optical-layer intelligence enables dual services at the optical layer.

The proposed architecture improves spectral and computing efficiency.

Performance analysis shows advantages over traditional optical-bypass networks.

Abstract

Driven by massive investments and consequently significant progresses in optical computing and all-optical signal processing technologies lately, this paper presents a new architectural paradigm for next-generation optical transport network, entitled \textit{optical computing-communication integrated network}, which is capable of providing dual services at the optical layer, namely, computing and communication. This approach seeks to exploit the potential for performing optical computing operations among lightpaths that traverse the same intermediate node. \textit{Optical-layer intelligence concept} is thus introduced as the capability to perform computing / processing at the lightpath scale to achieve greater spectral and/or computing efficiency. A case study focusing on optical aggregation operation is introduced, highlighting the key differences between optical computing-communication integrated network and its current counterpart, optical-bypass ones. A mathematical formulation for optimal designs of optical-aggregation-enabled network is then provided and performance comparison with traditional optical-bypass model is drawn on the realistic NSFNET topology.