Wavelength converter placement in least-load-routing-based optical networks using genetic algorithms

Feature Issue on Next-Generation WDM Network Design and Routing (WDMN). We study the problems of routing and wavelength converter placement in optical networks with sparse wavelength conversion. We propose a new dynamic routing algorithm with two new path cost functions based on the concept of least-load routing (LLR) with sparse converter placement, and we discuss the application of genetic algorithms (GAs) to determine the optimal location of wavelength converters so that the call-blocking probability is minimized. Simulation results show that the proposed dynamic routing algorithms perform significantly better than shortest-path (SP) routing and fixed-alternative routing (FAR) in terms of the call-blocking probability. The GA model is able to obtain a nearly optimal solution of the wavelength converter placement problem within a reasonable time, and its performance is better than that of two other popular heuristic placement algorithms.