Abstract: A joint-optimization method addresses the generalized routing and wavelength assignment problem with variable number of combined 1+1 dedicated and shared connections. The inventive method enables a solution in time that is polynomial of the input size. Thus, the time complexity of the joint-optimization method is significantly less than that of existing methods.

Abstract: A method includes determining a line rate selection for a flexible optical wavelength-division-multiplexing WDM network, determining a traffic routing in said network, and determining simultaneously a channel routing, wavelength assignment and spectrum allocation in said network based on an auxiliary graph.

Abstract: A method for optical layer traffic grooming includes receiving at least two optical input signals into respective optical receivers, each optical receiver having a photodetector for converting the respective optical input signal into a respective electrical signal; a grooming processor responsive to the electrical signals, the grooming processor being a radio frequency RF processor for processing the electrical signals at a subcarrier level to produce an RF orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal OFDM signal; and modulating the groomed RF OFDM signal at a transmitter for conversion of the groomed RF OFDM into an optical signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optical signal grooming that include providing one or more input signals, each having one or more modulated subcarriers, to a grooming processor; and grooming the input signals at a subcarrier level with the grooming processor to produce one or more output signals by arranging the modulated subcarriers in the output signals according to a grooming operation such that the modulated subcarriers are not demodulated or decoded prior to grooming.

Abstract: There is provided a method in a wavelength convertible flexible optical wavelength-division multiplexing (WC-FWDM) network. The network has a plurality of optical nodes interconnected by a plurality of optical fibers. The network is for providing an overall spectrum divisible into a set of consecutive wavelength slots. At least one optical node has at least one wavelength converter for wavelength conversion. The method includes determining a channel route through the network commencing at a source node and ceasing at a destination node. The determined channel route is selectively tunable responsive to selected ones of a plurality of routing methods. The routing methods are so selected responsive to a routing policy having one or more objectives of minimization of channel blocking, minimization of a number of wavelength converters used in the network, and minimization of physical distance traversed by a channel, and minimization of operating wavelengths of a channel.