Traffic Chunk Sizing vs. Optical Switching Speed in Future All-Optical Satellite Networks

TL;DR

This paper investigates how traffic chunk sizes influence the performance of optical switching fabrics in future all-optical satellite networks, considering various switching technologies and their constraints.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of the relationship between traffic chunk sizing and optical switching performance in satellite networks, highlighting critical factors for design.

Findings

Traffic chunk size significantly affects optical switching fabric performance.

MEMS and integrated photonic solutions are evaluated for speed, power, and loss.

Simulation results demonstrate the impact of chunk size on latency and efficiency.

Abstract

To enable efficient resource utilization under stringent Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints through transparent and all-optical switched satellites transmission, various switching paradigms can be considered, including packet, burst, or circuit. To this end, the traffic assembly and algorithmic design for path computations at the ground stations play a key role in determining the switching fabric design. Generally, traffic can be buffered and assembled in chunks at the ground stations and forwarded over the pre-computed optical path in space, similar to terrestrial optical burst switching or fast circuit switching. Regardless of the chosen paradigm, the switching fabric must satisfy specific latency performance requirements. This paper studies the performance of all-optical satellite networks based on the maximum traffic chunk sizes that can be scheduled and the performance of optical switching fabrics in the future over all-optical constellations. We consider various optical switching technologies, including MEMS- and integrated photonic-based solutions, in the context of switching speed, power consumption, and insertion loss. Simulation results indicate that traffic chunk size critically impacts the performance required by optical switching fabrics onboard a satellite.