Photonic Bus and Photonic Mesh Networks - Design Techniques in Extremely High Speed Networks

Abstract

<p>This work describes two network designs--Photonic Bus Networks and Photonic Mesh Networks. These two designs were developed in order to provide the basis for exploring the possibilities of novel design techniques in future fibre networks. In both cases, attempts are made to take advantage of emerging technologies in the area of fibre optic. The networks were not created to compete with other network designs, athough obvious comparisons with other netorks are possible. Rather, these networks were conceived to create a framework within which to study the behaviour of certain phenomenon that may be present in some future fibre networks. Both simulation studies and analytical modelling were used to improve understanding of the behaviour of the network design techniques. Photonic Bus Networks build upon the emerging IEEE 802.6 network standard by considering a multihop implementation on a physical transmissive optical star topology. Media access techniques are designed to allow for slot reuse at each node, to improve network performance while ensuring fair network access. The combination of the new media access with the broadcast nature of the physical optical network allows for the use of new and novel bandwidth allocation design techniques that would not be possible in IEEE 802.6 networks. Photonic Mesh Networks can be considered a two-dimensional generalization of Photonic Bus Networks. They are topologically regular two-dimensional grid networks that use a novel routing technique known as deflection routing and allow for easy bandwidth allocation. A framework is created for the consideration of traffic processing at a node in a Photonic Mesh Network. Algorithms are defined which consist of three separate but related strategies - the access strategy, the routing strategy and the allocation strategy. Simulation studies indicate that the interaction of these separate strategies affect the performane of the network.</p>