An investigation into routing algorithms for optical networks

互联网的主干现在是光网络。它不再需要依赖成本更高的电光转换，这通常会导致节点出现瓶颈。然而，光网络的缺点是它们依赖于波分复用传输，其中需要确保路由的所有链路上的公共波长才能使连接不被阻塞。因此，网络的有效使用在很大程度上依赖于良好的波长分配和路由算法。在这种情况下，整数线性规划的一种优化技术已经证明了它的价值。然而，它需要一套固定的连接，而且速度太慢，无法适应更具活力的市场。此外，随着新技术的出现，光交换等新技术的出现和需求变得更加动态，例如随着宽带按需的引入，将需要替代方法。我们需要数学专业知识来推导合适的数学公式并开发优化波长分配和路由算法。通过为在其他环境中具有广泛优化方法经验的人提供机会来熟悉这个主题，我们希望推导出一些新的方法。灵感可以从其他领域的优化方法中获得，例如图形着色，而解决方法中的差距将给数学界带来进一步的挑战。此外，通过合作建立的协作应该使我们能够在预见到新兴技术的情况下开发合适的路由方法。人们希望，这将为英国的大学和行业提供竞争优势，使其受益于光网络技术和使用模式的变化。

The backbone of the internet is now an optical network. It no longer has to rely on more costly electronic-optical conversion which typically led to bottlenecks at the nodes. However, the drawback of optical networks is that they rely on wavelength-division multiplexing transmission in which a common wavelength needs to be assured on all links of a route for the connection not to be blocked. Efficient use of the network is therefore highly dependent upon good wavelength-assignment and routing algorithms. An Optimisation technique, of Integer Linear Programming, has already proved its worth in this context. However, it requires a fixed set of connections and is too slow to adapt to more a dynamic market. Moreover, as new technologies emerge, the such as optical switching, and demand becomes more dynamic, for example with the introduction of Broadband-on-demand, alternative approaches will be required. Mathematical expertise will be needed to derive suitable mathematical formulations and to develop optimisation wavelength assignment and routing algorithms.By providing the opportunity for someone with broad experience of optimisation methods in other contexts, to familiarise themselves with this topic, we hope to derive some novel approaches. Inspiration may be drawn from optimisation approaches in other domains, such as Graph Colouring, and gaps in solution method will provide further challenges to the Mathematics community. In addition, the collaboration built up by working together should enable us to develop suitable routing methods in anticipation of emerging technologies. It is hoped that this will provide UK universities and industry with a competitive edge from changes in technology and modes of use of optical networks.