Mohamed A. Ali

Dynamic bandwidth allocation for quality-of-service over Ethernet PONs

Ethernet-based passive optical network (EPON) technology is being considered as a promising solution for next-generation broadband access networks due to the convergence of low-cost Ethernet equipment and low-cost fiber infrastructures. A major feature for this new architecture is the use of a shared transmission media between all users; hence, medium access control arbitration mechanisms are essential for the successful implementation of EPON: i.e., to ensure a contention-free transmission and provide end users with equal access to the shared media. We propose to use the multipoint control protocol defined by the IEEE 802.3ah task force to arbitrate the transmission of different users, and we present different dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithms to allocate bandwidths effectively and fairly between end users. These DBA algorithms are also augmented to support differentiated services, a crucial requirement for a converged broadband access network with heterogeneous traffic. We show that queueing delays under strict bandwidth allocation algorithms result in an unexpected behavior for certain traffic classes, and we suggest the use of DBA with appropriate local queue management to alleviate this inappropriate behavior. We conduct detailed simulation experiments to study the performance and validate the effectiveness of the proposed protocols.

A novel decentralized ethernet-based PON access architecture for provisioning differentiated QoS

To date, the mainstream ethernet passive optical network (EPON) bandwidth allocation schemes as well as the new IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet in the first mile Task Force specifications have been centralized, relying on a component in the central office [optical line termination (OLT)] to provision upstream traffic. Hence, the OLT is the only device that can arbitrate time-division access to the shared channel. Since the OLT has global knowledge of the state of the entire network, this is a centralized control plane in which the OLT has centralized intelligence. This paper proposes novel distributed EPON architectures, and in the process proves that these distributed networking architectures and the associated bandwidth allocation algorithms and protocols have characteristics that make them far better suited for provisioning quality of service (QoS) schemes necessary for properly handling data, voice, video, and other real-time streaming advanced multimedia services over a single line. Specifically, this paper proposes a novel ethernet over star coupler-based PON architecture that uses a fully distributed time-division multiple-access (TDMA) arbitration scheme. Supported by the decentralized scheme, this paper proposes several QoS-based dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithms in which the OLT is excluded from the implementation of the time slot assignment. In contrast with the mainstream centralized EPON architectures that combine priority queuing [intra-optical network unit (ONU) scheduling] with DBA schemes (inter-ONU scheduling), the proposed distributed EPON architecture supports differentiated services through the integration of both scheduling mechanisms at the ONU (intra-ONU scheduling). The introduction of this integration feature that can only be supported by a decentralized architecture provides better QoS guarantees. Furthermore, in addition to the added flexibility and reliability, the overall performance of the proposed decentralized EPON architecture and the associated bandwidth allocation algorithms are shown to be at least as efficient as their centralized counterparts.

Experimental and theoretical analysis of relaxation-oscillations and spectral hole burning effects in all-optical gain-clamped EDFA's for WDM networks

Experimental and theoretical analysis of the gain dynamics of all-optically stabilized multichannel erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) and the impact on wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) networks performance requirements is presented. In particular, we focus on precise analysis of the detailed transient response of the surviving channel and the relaxation oscillations of the compensating (lasing) signal. The main objective of this work is to experimentally and theoretically analyze and examine some of the critical factors such as, lasing wavelength, gain recovery time, relaxation oscillation frequency of the feedback loop, and the number of channels dropped/added, that affect the transient power excursions in the surviving channel. First, we consider the applicability of laser automatic gain control (AGC) to control fast power transients in WDM optical networks and reports the first high resolution measurements of transients in such gain controlled EDFAs. Second, the experimental results are compared with those predicted from a numerical simulation of the dynamic of the gain controlled EDFA.

A simple dynamic integrated provisioning/protection scheme in IP over WDM networks

This article presents a simple integrated provisioning/protection scheme to dynamically allocate restorable bandwidth guaranteed paths in IP over WDM networks. A guaranteed restorable path implies that a flow of data is successfully routed if both an active path and another alternate link-disjoint path are found at the same time. Unlike the conventional approach, where the IP and WDM layers are not aware of each other, the new scheme takes advantage of the development in generalized multi-protocol label switching (GMPLS) to provide integrated end-to-end survivability by incorporating network state information from both layers (e.g., the cost information in physical links, the bandwidth usage on each lightpath, and intermediate router speed) into protection path allocation. Simulation results are used to evaluate the performance of the new scheme and show that the proposed protection approach can efficiently improve the network utilization, and deliver reliable services.

On the Vision of Complete Fixed-Mobile Convergence

This paper reviews and outlines the key features of the emerging next-generation fixed passive optical network (NG-PON)-based and fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband access technologies and how to leverage the advantages of both of these access technologies to build a next-generation hybrid fiber-wireless (FiWi) network. Specifically, this paper presents an overview of the most recent research activities on these hybrid FiWi architectures, aiming to clarify the basic differences and distinguish between two FiWi networking architectural models, namely, the overlay or independent model and the truly integrated model. We then explore and present a new direction to the design and implementation of a simple and cost-effective all-packet-based converged fixed-mobile access networking solution that enables the true integration of NG-PON and 4G mobile broadband access technologies into the envisioned fixed-mobile platform. We briefly outline the general and technical requirements to support a unified NG-PON long-term evolution (LTE) radio access network (RAN) architecture that conforms to both the typically centralized fixed PON and the emerging distributed 4G mobile LTE access standards. The implementation methodology on how to efficiently and cost-effectively integrate these two access technologies along with the main advantages gained from such an integrated architecture are outlined and presented.

On joint protection/restoration in IP-centric DWDM based optical transport networks

Previous advances in WDM technology are now beginning to shift the focus more toward optical networking and network-level issues. Providing survivability at the optical layer is inherently attractive, but whether it makes practical sense, given similar mechanisms that are already available at the higher layers, poses serious challenges and raises many questions. Todays core network architecture model has functional overlap among its layers, contains outdated functionality, and is too slow to scale. If IP can be mapped directly onto the WDM layer, some of the unnecessary network layers can be eliminated, opening up new possibilities for developing a simple and integrated-protection/restoration scheme that can be coordinated at both the IP and WDM layers. This article presents an overview of existing optical protection/restoration schemes. Then we present a novel mesh-based hybrid optical protection scheme that utilizes multifiber physical links along with a hierarchical OXC structure. An overview of the envisioned IP-centric DWDM-based optical data network architecture is then presented. The basis of how to implement a more direct IP standard-based approach for closer and efficient IP-WDM integration is also discussed. Finally, we articulate a view of how to provide a joint protection/restoration scheme that is coordinated at both the IP and WDM layers.

Dynamic provisioning of low-speed unicast/multicast traffic demands in mesh-based WDM optical networks

This paper addresses the problem of dynamically provisioning both low-speed unicast and multicast connection requests in mesh-based wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks. Several routing/provisioning schemes to dynamically provision both unicast and multicast connection requests are presented. In addition, a constraint-based grooming strategy is devised to utilize the overall network resources as efficiently as possible. Based on this strategy, several different sequential multicast grooming heuristics are first presented. Then, we devise a hybrid grooming approach and combine it with sequential approaches to achieve a grooming scheme that is biased toward serving multicast traffic demands in comparison with all other sequential grooming approaches. To achieve our objective, we decompose the problem into four subproblems: 1) routing problem; 2) light-tree-based logical-topology-design problem; 3) provisioning problem; and 4) traffic-grooming problem. The simulation results of the proposed schemes are compared with each other and with those of conventional nongrooming approaches. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed paper to address and examine the problem of grooming dynamic multicast traffic demands.

A hybrid distributed fault-management protocol for combating single-fiber failures in mesh-based DWDM optical networks

This paper presents a novel hybrid distributed fault-management protocol for combating single-fiber failures in mesh-based DWDM optical networks. The proposed hybrid approach combines Link State Protocol to disseminate and update information only about the physical connectivity of the network and a distributed local information-based signaling algorithm for connection management. The purpose of using a hybrid approach is two advantages: (1) reducing the signaling overhead associated with the global information-based link state protocol by using a distributed approach where only local information is maintained at each node; and (2) eases the implementation of the routing protocol where physical constraints, such as link/node diversity, are imposed. The performance of the proposed hybrid approach is evaluated via comparing the dedicated-path protection and the shared-path protection schemes in terms of blocking probability, restoration time under failure assumption, and data loss incurred during the recovery phase.

Effect of multiple light scattering and self-absorption on the fluorescence and excitation spectra of dyes in random media

The absorption, fluorescence, and excitation spectra of a dye in a highly scattering random medium were studied experimentally. The intrinsic absorption spectrum of the dye does not change in the presence of scatterers, but the presence of scatterers in the media will change the observed fluorescence spectra. The observation is accounted for by the change in the photon trajectory path length for the fluorescence emission.

Integrated Routing Algorithms for Provisioning “Sub-Wavelength” Connections in IP-Over-WDM Networks

This work focuses on developing and implementing comprehensive unified constraint-based routing algorithms within the generalized multi-protocol label switching framework (GMPLS) to provision “sub-wavelength” circuits (low-rate traffic streams). Constraint-based routing is further augmented in this work by dynamically routing both an active and another alternate link/node-disjoint backup path at the same time in order to provision a given connection request. This new integrated approach combines both IP routing and optical resource allocation to setup end-to-end connections.