Joint resource allocation and power optimization in space division multiplexed elastic optical networks: a new algorithm and comparative analysis

As the demand for high-rate and high-capacity communication networks continues to escalate, the implementation of Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) in Elastic Optical Networks (EONs) using Multi-Core Fibers (MCF) presents a promising solution. In this paper, we propose a new heuristic algorithm for the Routing, Modulation, Core, and Spectrum Assignment and Optimized Power (RMCSA-OP) problem to address the challenge of spectrum and power allocation in SDM-EONs. The RMCSA-OP method incorporates Quality of Transmission (QoT) awareness and power optimization by selecting key factors such as modulation level and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) improvement. Assuming an uncoupled MCF scheme, we aim to enhance network capacity and traffic handling. The effectiveness of RMCSA-OP is demonstrated through extensive simulations. In medium- and long-distance network topologies like JPN and NSFNET, under a traffic load of 160 Tbps, increasing the noise margin (NM) from 0 to 2 dB reduces the outage rate from 15 and 20% to 0%, respectively. This reduction in outage directly increases the serving rate, which rises from 70 to 85% in the JPN topology and from 80 to 95% in the NSFNET topology. Consequently, our method demonstrates that selecting an appropriate NM leads to a 15% improvement in the serving rate compared to an NM of 0 dB, as assumed in previous studies. Additionally, compared to using a fixed launch power of 6 dBm, a typical value in earlier researches, our algorithm improves the serving rates by 28%, 32%, and 46% for the BT, JPN, and NSFNET topologies, respectively. Overall, our results demonstrate that the proposed RMCSA-OP algorithm simplifies the optimal power allocation, eliminating the need for extensive powerband testing. Furthermore, it significantly enhances network performance by providing a higher serving rate and a lower outage rate compared to existing schemes.