One document matched: draft-ietf-ccamp-wson-impairments-03.txt

Differences from draft-ietf-ccamp-wson-impairments-02.txt


Network Working Group                                            Y. Lee  
Internet Draft                                                   Huawei 
                                                           G. Bernstein 
                                                      Grotto Networking 
                                                                  D. Li 
                                                                 Huawei 
                                                          G. Martinelli 
                                                                  Cisco 
Intended status: Informational                             July 9, 2010 
Expires: November 2010 
                                    
 
                                      
    A Framework for the Control of Wavelength Switched Optical Networks 
                          (WSON) with Impairments 
                 draft-ietf-ccamp-wson-impairments-03.txt 


Status of this Memo 

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   This Internet-Draft will expire on November 9, 2010. 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
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Copyright Notice 

   Copyright (c) 2010 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the 
   document authors.  All rights reserved.  

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Abstract 

   The operation of optical networks requires information on the 
   physical characterization of optical network elements, subsystems, 
   devices, and cabling. These physical characteristics may be important 
   to consider when using a GMPLS control plane to support path setup 
   and maintenance. This document discusses how the definition and 
   characterization of optical fiber, devices, subsystems, and network 
   elements contained in various ITU-T recommendations can be combined 
   with GMPLS control plane protocols and mechanisms to support 
   Impairment Aware Routing and Wavelength Assignment (IA-RWA) in 
   optical networks.  

    

Table of Contents 

    
   1. Introduction...................................................3 
      1.1. Revision History..........................................4 
   2. Motivation.....................................................4 
   3. Impairment Aware Optical Path Computation......................5 
      3.1. Optical Network Requirements and Constraints..............6 
         3.1.1. Impairment Aware Computation Scenarios ..............7 
         3.1.2. Impairment Computation and Information Sharing 
         Constraints.................................................8 
         3.1.3. Impairment Estimation Functional Blocks..............9 
      3.2. IA-RWA Computation and Control Plane Architectures.......11 
         3.2.1. Combined Routing, WA, and IV........................12 
         3.2.2. Separate Routing, WA, or IV.........................12 
         3.2.3. Distributed WA and/or IV............................13 
      3.3. Mapping Network Requirements to Architectures............14 
 
 
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   4. Protocol Implications.........................................17 
      4.1. Information Model for Impairments........................17 
         4.1.1. Properties of an Impairment Information Model.......18 
      4.2. Routing..................................................19 
      4.3. Signaling................................................19 
      4.4. PCE......................................................20 
         4.4.1. Combined IV & RWA...................................20 
         4.4.2. IV-Candidates + RWA.................................20 
         4.4.3. Approximate IA-RWA + Separate Detailed IV...........22 
   5. Security Considerations.......................................24 
   6. IANA Considerations...........................................24 
   7. Acknowledgments...............................................24 
   8. References....................................................32 
      8.1. Normative References.....................................32 
      8.2. Informative References...................................34 
    
1. Introduction 

   As an optical signal progresses along its path it may be altered by 
   the various physical processes in the optical fibers and devices it 
   encounters. When such alterations result in signal degradation, we 
   usually refer to these processes as "impairments". An overview of 
   some critical optical impairments and their routing (path selection) 
   implications can be found in [RFC4054]. Roughly speaking, optical 
   impairments accumulate along the path (without 3R regeneration) 
   traversed by the signal. They are influenced by the type of fiber 
   used, the types and placement of various optical devices and the 
   presence of other optical signals that may share a fiber segment 
   along the signal's path. The degradation of the optical signals due 
   to impairments can result in unacceptable bit error rates or even a 
   complete failure to demodulate and/or detect the received signal. 
   Therefore, path selection in any WSON requires consideration of 
   optical impairments so that the signal will be propagated from the 
   network ingress point to the egress point with an acceptable signal 
   quality.  

   Some optical subnetworks are designed such that over any path the 
   degradation to an optical signal due to impairments never exceeds 
   prescribed bounds. This may be due to the limited geographic extent 
   of the network, the network topology, and/or the quality of the 
   fiber and devices employed. In such networks the path selection 
   problem reduces to determining a continuous wavelength from source 
   to destination (the Routing and Wavelength Assignment problem). 
   These networks are discussed in [WSON-Frame]. In other optical 
   networks, impairments are important and the path selection process 
   must be impairment-aware.  

 
 
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   Although [RFC4054] describes a number of key optical impairments, a 
   more complete description of optical impairments and processes can be 
   found in the ITU-T Recommendations. Appendix A of this document 
   provides an overview of the extensive ITU-T documentation in this 
   area. 

   The benefits of operating networks using the Generalized 
   Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) control plane is described in 
   [RFC3945]. The advantages of using a path computation element (PCE) 
   to perform complex path computations are discussed in [RFC4655].  

   Based on the existing ITU-T standards covering optical 
   characteristics (impairments) and the knowledge of how the impact of 
   impairments may be estimated along a path, this document provides a 
   framework for impairment aware path computation and establishment 
   utilizing GMPLS protocols and the PCE architecture. As in the 
   impairment free case covered in [WSON-Frame], a number of different 
   control plane architectural options are described. 

1.1. Revision History 

   Changes from 00 to 01:  

   Added discussion of regenerators to section 3. 

   Added to discussion of interface parameters in section 3.1.3. 

   Added to discussion of IV Candidates function in section 3.2. 

   Changes from 01 to 02: 

   Correct and refine use of "black link" concept based on liaison with 
   ITU-T and WG feedback. 

   Changes from 02 to 03: 

   Insert additional information on use and considerations for 
   regenerators in section 3. 

    

2. Motivation 

   There are deployment scenarios for WSON networks where not all 
   possible paths will yield suitable signal quality. There are 
   multiple reasons behind this choice; here below is a non-exhaustive 
   list of examples: 
 
 
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  o  WSON is evolving using multi-degree optical cross connects in a 
     way that network topologies are changing from rings (and 
     interconnected rings) to a full mesh. Adding network equipment 
     such as amplifiers or regenerators, to make all paths feasible, 
     leads to an over-provisioned network. Indeed, even with over 
     provisioning, the network could still have some infeasible paths. 

  o  Within a given network, the optical physical interface may change 
     over the network life, e.g., the optical interfaces might be 
     upgraded to higher bit-rates. Such changes could result in paths 
     being unsuitable for the optical signal. Although the same 
     considerations may apply to other network equipment upgrades,  the 
     optical physical interfaces are a typical case because they are 
     typically provisioned at various stages of the network's life span 
     as needed by traffic demands. 

  o  There are cases where a network is upgraded by adding new optical 
     cross connects to increase network flexibility. In such cases 
     existing paths will have their feasibility modified while new 
     paths will need to have their feasibility assessed. 

  o  With the recent bit rate increases from 10G to 40G and 100G over a 
     single wavelength, WSON networks will likely be operated with a 
     mix of wavelengths at different bit rates. This operational 
     scenario will impose some impairment considerations due to 
     different physical behavior of different bit rates and associated 
     modulation formats. 

   Not having an impairment aware control plane for such networks will 
   require a more complex network design phase that has to also take 
   into account evolving network status in term of equipments and 
   traffic. Moreover, network operations such as path establishment, 
   will require significant pre-design via non-control plane processes 
   resulting in significantly slower network provisioning.  

3. Impairment Aware Optical Path Computation 

   The basic criteria for path selection is whether one can successfully 
   transmit the signal from a transmitter to a receiver within a 
   prescribed error tolerance, usually specified as a maximum 
   permissible bit error ratio (BER). This generally depends on the 
   nature of the signal transmitted between the sender and receiver and 
   the nature of the communications channel between the sender and 
   receiver. The optical path utilized (along with the wavelength) 
   determines the communications channel.  


 
 
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   The optical impairments incurred by the signal along the fiber and at 
   each optical network element along the path determine whether the BER 
   performance or any other measure of signal quality can be met for a 
   signal on a particular end-to-end path.  

   The impairment-aware path calculation needs also to take into account 
   when regeneration happens along the path. [WSON-Frame] introduces the 
   concept of Optical translucent network that contains transparent 
   elements and electro-optical elements such as OEO regenerations. In 
   such networks a generic lightpath can go through a certain number of 
   regeneration points. 

   Regeneration points could happen for two reasons:  

  (i) wavelength conversion to assist the RWA process to avoid 
     wavelength blocking. This is the impairment free case covered 
     by[WSON-Frame]. 

  (ii)  the optical signal is too degraded. This is the case when the 
     RWA take into consideration impairment estimation covered by this 
     document.  

In the latter case a lightpath can be seen as a set of transparent 
segments. The optical impairments calculation needs to be reset at each 
regeneration point so each transparent segment will have its own 
impairment evaluation. 

   +---+    +----+   +----+     +---+     +----+    +---+ 
   | I |----| N1 |---| N2 |-----| R |-----| N3 |----| E | 
   +--+     +----+   +----+     +---+     +----+    +---+ 
    
   |.--------------------------.|.------------------.| 
           Segment 1                      Segment 2 
    
            Figure 1 Lightpath as a set of transparent segments 

For example, Figure 1 represents a lightpath from node I to node E with 
a regeneration point R in between. The lightpath is from an impairment 
validation perspective if each segment (I, N1, N2, R) and (R, N3, E) is 
feasible. 

3.1. Optical Network Requirements and Constraints 

   This section examines the various optical network requirements and 
   constraints that an impairment aware optical control plane may have 
   to operate under. These requirements and constraints motivate the IA-
   RWA architectural alternatives to be presented in the following 
 
 
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   section. We can break the different optical networks contexts up 
   along two main criteria: (a) the accuracy required in the estimation 
   of impairment effects, and (b) the constraints on the impairment 
   estimation computation and/or sharing of impairment information.  

3.1.1. Impairment Aware Computation Scenarios  

   A. No concern for impairments or Wavelength Continuity Constraints 

   This situation is covered by existing GMPLS with local wavelength 
   (label) assignment. 

   B. No concern for impairments but Wavelength Continuity Constraints 

   This situation is applicable to networks designed such that every 
   possible path is valid for the signal types permitted on the network. 
   In this case impairments are only taken into account during network 
   design and after that, for example during optical path computation, 
   they can be ignored. This is the case discussed in [WSON-Frame] where 
   impairments may be ignored by the control plane and only optical 
   parameters related to signal compatibility are considered.. 

   C. Approximated Impairment Estimation 

   This situation is applicable to networks in which impairment effects 
   need to be considered but there is sufficient margin such that they 
   can be estimated via approximation techniques such as link budgets 
   and dispersion[G.680],[G.sup39]. The viability of optical paths for a 
   particular class of signals can be estimated using well defined 
   approximation techniques [G.680], [G.sup39]. Note that currently only 
   linear impairments are considered. Also, adding or removing an 
   optical signal on the path will not render any of the existing 
   signals in the network as non-viable.  For example, one form of non-
   viability is the occurrence of transients in existing links of 
   sufficient magnitude to impact the BER of those existing signals. 

   Much work at ITU-T has gone into developing impairment models at this 
   and more detailed levels. Impairment characterization of network 
   elements could then may be used to calculate which paths are 
   conformant with a specified BER for a particular signal type. In such 
   a case, we can combine the impairment aware (IA) path computation 
   with the RWA process to permit more optimal IA-RWA computations. 
   Note, the IA path computation may also take place in a separate 
   entity, i.e., a PCE. 

   D. Detailed Impairment Computation 

 
 
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   This situation is applicable to networks in which impairment effects 
   must be more accurately computed. For these networks, a full 
   computation and evaluation of the impact to any existing paths needs 
   to be performed prior to the addition of a new path. Currently no 
   impairment models are available from ITU-T and this scenario is 
   outside the scope of this document.  

    

3.1.2. Impairment Computation and Information Sharing Constraints 

   In GMPLS, information used for path computation is standardized for 
   distribution amongst the elements participating in the control plane 
   and any appropriately equipped PCE can perform path computation. For 
   optical systems this may not be possible. This is typically due to 
   only portions of an optical system being subject to standardization. 
   In ITU-T recommendations [G.698.1] and [G.698.2] which specify single 
   channel interfaces to multi-channel DWDM systems only the single 
   channel interfaces (transmit and receive) are specified while the 
   multi-channel links are not standardized. These DWDM links are 
   referred to as "black links" since their details are not generally 
   available. Note however the overall impact of a black link at the 
   single channel interface points is limited by [G.698.1] and 
   [G.698.2].  

   Typically a vendor might use proprietary impairment models for DWDM 
   spans and to estimate the validity of optical paths. For example, 
   models of optical nonlinearities are not currently standardized. 
   Vendors may also choose not to publish impairment details for links 
   or a set of network elements in order not to divulge their optical 
   system designs. 

   In general, the impairment estimation/validation of an optical path 
   for optical networks with "black links" (path) could not be performed 
   by a general purpose impairment aware (IA) computation entity since 
   it would not have access to or understand the "black link" impairment 
   parameters. However, impairment estimation (optical path validation) 
   could be performed by a vendor specific impairment aware computation 
   entity. Such a vendor specific IA computation, could utilize 
   standardized impairment information imported from other network 
   elements in these proprietary computations. 

   In the following we will use the term "black links" to describe these 
   computation and information sharing constraints in optical networks. 
   From the control plane perspective we have the following options: 


 
 
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   A. The authority in control of the "black links" can furnish a list 
      of all viable paths between all viable node pairs to a 
      computational entity. This information would be particularly 
      useful as an input to RWA optimization to be performed by another 
      computation entity. The difficulty here is for larger networks 
      such a list of paths along with any wavelength constraints could 
      get unmanageably large. 

   B. The authority in control of the "black links" could provide a PCE 
      like entity that would furnish a list of viable paths/wavelengths 
      between two requested nodes. This is useful as an input to RWA 
      optimizations and can reduce the scaling issue previously 
      mentioned. Such a PCE like entity would not need to perform a full 
      RWA computation, i.e., it would not need to take into account 
      current wavelength availability on links. Such an approach may 
      require PCEP extensions for both the request and response 
      information. 

   C. The authority in control of the "black links" can provide a PCE 
      that performs full IA-RWA services. The difficulty is this 
      requires the one authority to also become the sole source of all 
      RWA optimization algorithms and such. 

   In all the above cases it would be the responsibility of the 
   authority in control of the "black links" to import the shared 
   impairment information from the other NEs via the control plane or 
   other means as necessary.  

3.1.3. Impairment Estimation Functional Blocks 

   The Impairment Estimation process can be modeled by the following 
   functional blocks. These blocks are independent of any Control Plane 
   architecture, that is, they can be implemented by the same or by 
   different control plane functional blocks. 













 
 
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                                              +-----------------+ 
       +------------+        +-----------+    |  +------------+ | 
       |            |        |           |    |  |            | | 
       | Optical    |        | Optical   |    |  | Optical    | | 
       | Interface  |------->| Path      |--->|  | Channel    | | 
       | (Transmit/ |        |           |    |  | Estimation | | 
       |  Receive)  |        |           |    |  |            | | 
       +------------+        +-----------+    |  +------------+ | 
                                              |        ||       | 
                                              |        ||       | 
                                              |    Estimation   | 
                                              |        ||       | 
                                              |        \/       | 
                                              |  +------------+ | 
                                              |  |  BER /     | | 
                                              |  |  Q Factor  | | 
                                              |  +------------+ | 
                                              +-----------------+ 
    

   Starting from functional block on the left the Optical Interface 
   represents where the optical signal is transmitted or received and 
   defines the properties at the end points path. For WSON even the case 
   with no IA has to consider a minimum set of interface 
   characteristics. As an example, the document [G.698.1] reports the 
   full set of those parameters for certain interfaces. In this function 
   only a significant subset of those parameters would be considered. In 
   addition transmit and receive interface might consider a different 
   subset of properties. In term of GMPLS, [WSON-Comp] provides a 
   minimum set of parameters to characterize the interface. During an 
   impairment estimation process these parameters may be sufficient or 
   not depending on the accepted level of approximation (Section 3.1.1). 

   The block "Optical Path" represents all kinds of impairments 
   affecting a wavelength as it traverses the networks through links and 
   nodes. In the case where the control plane has no IA this block will 
   not be present. Otherwise, this function must be implemented in some 
   way via the control plane. Options for this will be given in the next 
   section on control plane architectural alternatives. 

   The last block implements the decision function for path feasibility. 
   Depending on the IA level of approximation this function can be more 
   or less complex. For example in case of no IA only the signal class 
   compatibility will be verified. 



 
 
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3.2. IA-RWA Computation and Control Plane Architectures 

   From a control plane point of view optical impairments are additional 
   constraints to the impairment-free RWA process described in [WSON-
   Frame]. In impairment aware routing and wavelength assignment (IA-
   RWA), there are conceptually three general classes of processes to be 
   considered: Routing (R), Wavelength Assignment (WA), and Impairment 
   Validation (estimation) (IV). 

   Impairment validation may come in many forms, and maybe invoked at 
   different levels of detail in the IA-RWA process. From a process 
   point of view we will consider the following three forms of 
   impairment validation: 

  o  IV-Candidates 

   In this case an Impairment Validation (IV) process furnishes a set of 
   paths between two nodes along with any wavelength restrictions such 
   that the paths are valid with respect to optical impairments. These 
   paths and wavelengths may not be actually available in the network 
   due to its current usage state. This set of paths would be returned 
   in response to a request for a set of at most K valid paths between 
   two specified nodes. Note that such a process never directly 
   discloses optical impairment information. Note that that this case 
   includes any paths between source and destination that may have been 
   "pre-validated". 

   In this case the control plane simply makes use of candidate paths 
   but does not know any optical impairment information. Another option 
   is when the path validity is assessed within the control plane. The 
   following cases highlight this situation. 

    

  o  IV-Approximate Verification 

   Here approximation methods are used to estimate the impairments 
   experienced by a signal. Impairments are typically approximated by 
   linear and/or statistical characteristics of individual or combined 
   components and fibers along the signal path. 

  o  IV-Detailed Verification 

   In this case an IV process is given a particular path and wavelength 
   through an optical network and is asked to verify whether the overall 
   quality objectives for the signal over this path can be met. Note 

 
 
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   that such a process never directly discloses optical impairment 
   information.  

  o  IV-Centralized 

   In this case impairments to a path are computed at a single entity. 
   The information concerning impairments may still be gathered from 
   network elements however. 

  o  IV-Distributed 

   In the distributed IV process, impairment approximate degradation 
   measures such as OSNR, dispersion, DGD, etc. are accumulated along 
   the path via a signaling like protocol. When the accumulated measures 
   reach the destination node a decision on the impairment validity of 
   the path can be made. Note that such a process would entail revealing 
   an individual network element's impairment information. 

   The Control Plane however must not preclude the possibility to 
   operate any or all the above cases concurrently in the same network. 
   For example there could be cases where a certain number of paths are 
   already pre-validates (IV-Candidates) so the control plane may setup  
   one of those path without requesting any impairment validation 
   procedure. On the same network however the control plane may compute 
   a path outside the set of IV-Candidates for which an impairment 
   evaluation can be necessary. 

   The following subsections present three major classes of IA-RWA path 
   computation architectures and their respective advantages and 
   disadvantages. 

3.2.1. Combined Routing, WA, and IV 

   From the point of view of optimality, the "best" IA-RWA solutions can 
   be achieved if the path computation entity (PCE) can 
   conceptually/algorithmically combine the processes of routing, 
   wavelength assignment and impairment validation. 

   Such a combination can take place if the PCE is given: (a) the 
   impairment-free WSON network information as discussed in [WSON-Frame] 
   and (b) impairment information to validate potential paths.  

3.2.2. Separate Routing, WA, or IV 

   Separating the processes of routing, WA and/or IV can reduce the need 
   for sharing of different types of information used in path 
   computation. This was discussed for routing separate from WA in 
 
 
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   [WSON-Frame]. In addition, as will be discussed in the section on 
   network contexts some impairment information may not be shared and 
   this may lead to the need to separate IV from RWA.  In addition, as 
   also discussed in the section on network contexts, if IV needs to be 
   done at a high level of precision it may be advantageous to offload 
   this computation to a specialized server.  

   The following conceptual architectures belong in this general 
   category: 

  o  R+WA+IV -- separate routing, wavelength assignment, and impairment 
     validation. 

  o  R + (WA & IV) -- routing separate from a combined wavelength 
     assignment and impairment validation process. Note that impairment 
     validation is typically wavelength dependent hence combining WA 
     with IV can lead to efficiencies. 

  o  (RWA)+IV - combined routing and wavelength assignment with a 
     separate impairment validation process.  

   Note that the IV process may come before or after the RWA processes. 
   If RWA comes first then IV is just rendering a yes/no decision on the 
   selected path and wavelength. If IV comes first it would need to 
   furnish a list of possible (valid with respect to impairments) routes 
   and wavelengths to the RWA processes. 

3.2.3. Distributed WA and/or IV 

   In the non-impairment RWA situation [WSON-Frame] it was shown that a 
   distributed wavelength assignment (WA) process carried out via 
   signaling can eliminate the need to distribute wavelength 
   availability information via an IGP. A similar approach can allow for 
   the distributed computation of impairment effects and avoid the need 
   to distribute impairment characteristics of network elements and 
   links via route protocols or by other means. An example of such an 
   approach is given in [Martinelli] and utilizes enhancements to RSVP 
   signaling to carry accumulated impairment related information. 

   A distributed impairment validation for a prescribed network path 
   requires that the effects of impairments can be calculated by 
   approximate models with cumulative quality measures such as those in 
   [G.680].  

   For such a system to be interoperable the various impairment measures 
   to be accumulated would need to be agreed upon. Section 9 of [G.680] 
   can be useful in deriving such cumulative measures but doesn't 
 
 
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   explicitly state how a distributed computation would take place. For 
   example in the computation of the optical signal to noise ratio along 
   a path (see equation 9-3 of [G.680]) one could accumulate the linear 
   sum terms and convert to the optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) in 
   (dBs) at the destination or one could convert in and out of the OSNR 
   in (dBs) at each intermediate point along the path. 

   If distributed WA is being done at the same time as distributed IV 
   then we may need to accumulate impairment related information for all 
   wavelengths that could be used. This is somewhat winnowed down as 
   potential wavelengths are discovered to be in use, but could be a 
   significant burden for lightly loaded high channel count networks. 

3.3. Mapping Network Requirements to Architectures 

   In Figure 2 we show process flows for three main architectural 
   alternatives to IA-RWA when approximate impairment validation 
   suffices. In Figure 3 we show process flows for two main 
   architectural alternatives when detailed impairment verification is 
   required. 



























 
 
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                  +-----------------------------------+ 
                  |   +--+     +-------+     +--+     | 
                  |   |IV|     |Routing|     |WA|     | 
                  |   +--+     +-------+     +--+     | 
                  |                                   | 
                  |        Combined Processes         | 
                  +-----------------------------------+ 
                                  (a) 
    
           +--------------+      +----------------------+ 
           | +----------+ |      | +-------+    +--+    | 
           | |    IV    | |      | |Routing|    |WA|    | 
           | |candidates| |----->| +-------+    +--+    | 
           | +----------+ |      |  Combined Processes  | 
           +--------------+      +----------------------+ 
                                  (b) 
    
            +-----------+        +----------------------+ 
            | +-------+ |        |    +--+    +--+      | 
            | |Routing| |------->|    |WA|    |IV|      | 
            | +-------+ |        |    +--+    +--+      | 
            +-----------+        | Distributed Processes| 
                                 +----------------------+ 
                                  (c)          
     Figure 2 Process flows for the three main approximate impairment 
                        architectural alternatives. 

   The advantages, requirements and suitability of these options are as 
   follows: 

  o  Combined IV & RWA process 

   This alternative combines RWA and IV within a single computation 
   entity enabling highest potential optimality and efficiency in IA-
   RWA. This alternative requires that the computational entity knows 
   impairment information as well as non-impairment RWA information. 
   This alternative can be used with "black links", but would then need 
   to be provided by the authority controlling the "black links". 

  o  IV-Candidates + RWA process 

   This alternative allows separation of impairment information into two 
   computational entities while still maintaining a high degree of 
   potential optimality and efficiency in IA-RWA. The candidates IV 
   process needs to know impairment information from all optical network 
   elements, while the RWA process needs to know non-impairment RWA 
 
 
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   information from the network elements. This alternative can be used 
   with "black links", but the authority in control of the "black links" 
   would need to provide the functionality of the IV-candidates process. 
   Note that this is still very useful since the algorithmic areas of IV 
   and RWA are very different and prone to specialization. 

  o  Routing + Distributed WA and IV 

   In this alternative a signaling protocol is extended and leveraged in 
   the wavelength assignment and impairment validation processes. 
   Although this doesn't enable as high a potential degree of optimality 
   of optimality as (a) or (b), it does not require distribution of 
   either link wavelength usage or link/node impairment information. 
   Note that this is most likely not suitable for "black links". 

    

          +-----------------------------------+     +------------+ 
          | +-----------+  +-------+    +--+  |     | +--------+ | 
          | |    IV     |  |Routing|    |WA|  |     | |  IV    | | 
          | |approximate|  +-------+    +--+  |---->| |Detailed| | 
          | +-----------+                     |     | +--------+ | 
          |        Combined Processes         |     |            | 
          +-----------------------------------+     +------------+ 
                                   (a) 
    
    +--------------+      +----------------------+     +------------+ 
    | +----------+ |      | +-------+    +--+    |     | +--------+ | 
    | |    IV    | |      | |Routing|    |WA|    |---->| |  IV    | | 
    | |candidates| |----->| +-------+    +--+    |     | |Detailed| | 
    | +----------+ |      |  Combined Processes  |     | +--------+ | 
    +--------------+      +----------------------+     |            | 
                                   (b)                 +------------+ 
        Figure 3 Process flows for the two main detailed impairment 
                     validation architectural options. 

   The advantages, requirements and suitability of these detailed 
   validation options are as follows: 

  o  Combined approximate IV & RWA + Detailed-IV 

   This alternative combines RWA and approximate IV within a single 
   computation entity enabling highest potential optimality and 
   efficiency in IA-RWA; then has a separate entity performing detailed 
   impairment validation. In the case of "black links" the authority 
   controlling the "black links" would need to provide all 
   functionality. 
 
 
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  o  Candidates-IV + RWA + Detailed-IV 

   This alternative allows separation of approximate impairment 
   information into a computational entity while still maintaining a 
   high degree of potential optimality and efficiency in IA-RWA; then a 
   separate computation entity performs detailed impairment validation. 
   Note that detailed impairment estimation is not standardized.  

    

4. Protocol Implications 

   The previous IA-RWA architectural alternatives and process flows make 
   differing demands on a GMPLS/PCE based control plane. In this section 
   we discuss the use of (a) an impairment information model, (b) PCE as 
   computational entity assuming the various process roles and 
   consequences for PCEP, (c)any needed extensions to signaling, and (d) 
   extensions to routing. The impacts to the control plane for IA-RWA 
   are summarized in Figure 4. 

    
        +-------------------+----+----+----------+--------+ 
        | IA-RWA Option     |PCE |Sig |Info Model| Routing| 
        +-------------------+----+----+----------+--------+ 
        |          Combined |Yes | No |  Yes     |  Yes   | 
        |          IV & RWA |    |    |          |        | 
        +-------------------+----+----+----------+--------+- 
        |     IV-Candidates |Yes | No |  Yes     |  Yes   | 
        |         + RWA     |    |    |          |        | 
        +-------------------+----+----+----------+--------+ 
        |    Routing +      |No  | Yes|  Yes     |  No    | 
        |Distributed IV, RWA|    |    |          |        | 
        +-------------------+----+----+----------+--------+ 
        |       Detailed IV |Yes | No |  Yes     |  Yes   | 
        +-------------------+----+----+----------+--------+ 
     Figure 4 IA-RWA architectural options and control plane impacts. 

4.1. Information Model for Impairments 

   As previously discussed all IA-RWA scenarios to a greater or lesser 
   extent rely on a common impairment information model. A number of 
   ITU-T recommendations cover detailed as well as approximate 
   impairment characteristics of fibers and a variety of devices and 
   subsystems. A well integrated impairment model for optical network 
   elements is given in [G.680] and is used to form the basis for an 
   optical impairment model in a companion document [Imp-Info]. 

 
 
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   It should be noted that the current version of [G.680] is limited to 
   the networks composed of a single WDM line system vendor combined 
   with OADMs and/or PXCs from potentially multiple other vendors, this 
   is known as situation 1 and is shown in Figure 1-1 of [G.680]. It is 
   planed in the future that [G.680] will include networks incorporating 
   line systems from multiple vendors as well as OADMs and/or PXCs from 
   potentially multiple other vendors, this is known as situation 2 and 
   is shown in Figure 1-2 of [G.680].  

   The case of distributed impairment validation actually requires a bit 
   more than an impairment information model. In particular, it needs a 
   common impairment "computation" model. In the distributed IV case one 
   needs to standardize the accumulated impairment measures that will be 
   conveyed and updated at each node. Section 9 of [G.680] provides 
   guidance in this area with specific formulas given for OSNR, residual 
   dispersion, polarization mode dispersion/polarization dependent loss, 
   effects of channel uniformity, etc... However, specifics of what 
   intermediate results are kept and in what form would need to be 
   standardized. 

4.1.1. Properties of an Impairment Information Model 

   In term of information model there are a set of property that needs 
   to be defined for each optical parameters that need to be in some way 
   considered within an impairment aware control plane. 

   The properties will help to determine how the control plane can deal 
   with it depending also on the above control plane architectural 
   options. In some case properties value will help to indentify the 
   level of approximation supported by the IV process. 

  o  Time Dependency. This will identify how the impairment may vary 
     along the time. There could be cases where there's no time 
     dependency, while in other cases there is need of an impairment 
     re-evaluation after a certain time. In some cases a level of 
     approximation will consider an impairment that has time dependency 
     as constant. 

  o  Wavelength Dependency. This property will identify if an 
     impairment value can be considered as constant over all the 
     wavelength spectrum of interest or if it has different values. 
     Also in this case a detailed impairment evaluation might lead to 
     consider the exact value while an approximation IV might take a 
     constant value for all wavelengths. 



 
 
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  o  Linearity. As impairments are representation of physical effects 
     there are some that have a linear behavior while other are non 
     linear. Linear impairments are in general easy to consider while a 
     non linear will require the knowledge of the full path to be 
     evaluated. An approximation level could only consider linear 
     effects or approximate non-linear impairments in linear ones. 

  o  Multi-Channel. There are cases where an impairments take different 
     values depending on the aside wavelengths already in place. In 
     this case a dependency among different LSP is introduced. An 
     approximation level can neglect or not the effects on neighbor 
     LSPs. 

  o  Value range. An impairment that has to be considered by a 
     computational element will needs a representation in bits. So 
     depending on the impairments different types can be considered 
     form integer to real numbers as well as a fixed set of values. 
     This information is important in term of protocol definition and 
     level of approximation introduced by the number representation. 

    

4.2. Routing 

   Different approaches to path/wavelength impairment validation gives 
   rise to different demands placed on GMPLS routing protocols. In the 
   case where approximate impairment information is used to validate 
   paths GMPLS routing may be used to distribute the impairment 
   characteristics of the network elements and links based on the 
   impairment information model previously discussed. In the case of 
   distributed-IV no new demands would be placed on the routing 
   protocol. 

4.3. Signaling 

   The largest impacts on signaling occur in the cases where distributed 
   impairment validation is performed. In this we need to accumulate 
   impairment information as previously discussed. In addition, since 
   the characteristics of the signal itself, such as modulation type, 
   can play a major role in the tolerance of impairments, this type of 
   information will need to be implicitly or explicitly signaled so that 
   an impairment validation decision can be made at the destination 
   node. 

   It remains for further study if it may be beneficial to include 
   additional information to a connection request such as desired egress 

 
 
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   signal quality (defined in some appropriate sense) in non-distributed 
   IV scenarios.  

4.4. PCE 

   In section 3.3. we gave a number of computation architectural 
   alternatives that could be used to meet the various requirements and 
   constraints of section 3.1.  Here we look at how these alternatives 
   could be implemented via either a single PCE or a set of two or more 
   cooperating PCEs, and the impacts on the PCEP protocol.  

4.4.1. Combined IV & RWA 

   In this situation, shown in Figure 2(a), a single PCE performs all 
   the computations needed for IA-RWA. 

  o  TE Database Requirements 

     WSON Topology and switching capabilities, WSON WDM link wavelength 
     utilization, and WSON impairment information 

  o  PCC to PCE Request Information 

     Signal characteristics/type, required quality, source node, 
     destination node 

  o  PCE to PCC Reply Information  

     If the computations completed successfully then the PCE returns 
     the path and its assigned wavelength. If the computations could 
     not complete successfully it would be potentially useful to know 
     the reason why. At a very crude level we'd like to know if this 
     was due to lack of wavelength availability or impairment 
     considerations or a bit of both. The information to be conveyed is 
     for further study. 

4.4.2. IV-Candidates + RWA 

   In this situation, shown in Figure 2(b), we have two separate 
   processes involved in the IA-RWA computation. This requires at least 
   two cooperating PCEs: one for the Candidates-IV process and another 
   for the RWA process. In addition, the overall process needs to be 
   coordinated. This could be done with yet another PCE or we can add 
   this functionality to one of previously defined PCEs. We choose this 
   later option and require the RWA PCE to also act as the overall 
   process coordinator. The roles, responsibilities and information 
   requirements for these two PCEs are given below. 
 
 
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   RWA and Coordinator PCE (RWA-Coord-PCE): 

   Responsible for interacting with PCC and for utilizing Candidates-PCE 
   as needed during RWA computations. In particular it needs to know to 
   use the Candidates-PCE to obtain potential set of routes and 
   wavelengths. 

  o  TE Database Requirements 

     WSON Topology and switching capabilities and WSON WDM link 
     wavelength utilization (no impairment information). 

  o  PCC to RWA-PCE request: same as in the combined case. 

  o  RWA-PCE to PCC reply: same as in the combined case. 

  o  RWA-PCE to IV-Candidates-PCE request 

  The RWA-PCE asks for a set of at most K routes along with acceptable 
     wavelengths between nodes specified in the original PCC request. 

  o  IV-Candidates-PCE reply to RWA-PCE 

  The Candidates-PCE returns a set of at most K routes along with 
     acceptable wavelengths between nodes specified in the RWA-PCE 
     request. 

  IV-Candidates-PCE: 

     The IV-Candidates-PCE is responsible for impairment aware path 
     computation. It needs not take into account current link 
     wavelength utilization, but this is not prohibited. The 
     Candidates-PCE is only required to interact with the RWA-PCE as 
     indicated above and not the PCC. 

  o  TE Database Requirements 

     WSON Topology and switching capabilities and WSON impairment 
     information (no information link wavelength utilization required). 

   In Figure 5 we show a sequence diagram for the interactions between 
   the PCC, RWA-PCE and IV-Candidates-PCE. 





 
 
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     +---+                +-------------+          +-----------------+ 
     |PCC|                |RWA-Coord-PCE|          |IV-Candidates-PCE| 
     +-+-+                +------+------+          +---------+-------+ 
       ...___     (a)            |                           | 
       |     ````---...____      |                           | 
       |                   ```-->|                           | 
       |                         |                           | 
       |                         |--..___    (b)             | 
       |                         |       ```---...___        | 
       |                         |                   ```---->| 
       |                         |                           | 
       |                         |                           | 
       |                         |           (c)       ___...| 
       |                         |       ___....---''''      | 
       |                         |<--''''                    | 
       |                         |                           | 
       |                         |                           | 
       |          (d)      ___...|                           | 
       |      ___....---'''      |                           | 
       |<--'''                   |                           | 
       |                         |                           | 
       |                         |                           | 
    
     Figure 5 Sequence diagram for the interactions between PCC, RWA-
                Coordinating-PCE and the IV-Candidates-PCE. 

   In step (a) the PCC requests a path meeting specified quality 
   constraints between two nodes (A and Z) for a given signal 
   represented either by a specific type or a general class with 
   associated parameters. In step (b) the RWA-Coordinating-PCE requests 
   up to K candidate paths between nodes A and Z and associated 
   acceptable wavelengths. In step (c) The IV-Candidates-PCE returns 
   this list to the RWA-Coordinating PCE which then uses this set of 
   paths and wavelengths as input (e.g. a constraint) to its RWA 
   computation. In step (d) the RWA-Coordinating-PCE returns the overall 
   IA-RWA computation results to the PCC. 

4.4.3. Approximate IA-RWA + Separate Detailed IV 

   In Figure 3 we showed two cases where a separate detailed impairment 
   validation process could be utilized. We can place the detailed 
   validation process into a separate PCE. Assuming that a different PCE 
   assumes a coordinating role and interacts with the PCC we can keep 
   the interactions with this separate IV-Detailed-PCE very simple. 

   IV-Detailed-PCE: 
 
 
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  o  TE Database Requirements 

  The IV-Detailed-PCE will need optical impairment information, WSON 
     topology, and possibly WDM link wavelength usage information. This 
     document puts no restrictions on the type of information that may 
     be used in these computations.  

  o  Coordinating-PCE to IV-Detailed-PCE request 

  The coordinating-PCE will furnish signal characteristics, quality 
     requirements, path and wavelength to the IV-Detailed-PCE. 

  o  IV-Detailed-PCE to Coordinating-PCE reply 

  The reply is essential an yes/no decision as to whether the 
     requirements could actually be met. In the case where the 
     impairment validation fails it would be helpful to convey 
     information related to cause or quantify the failure, e.g., so a 
     judgment can be made whether to try a different signal or adjust 
     signal parameters. 

   In Figure 6 we show a sequence diagram for the interactions for the 
   process shown in Figure 3(b). This involves interactions between the 
   PCC, RWA-PCE (acting as coordinator), IV-Candidates-PCE and the IV-
   Detailed-PCE. 

   In step (a) the PCC requests a path meeting specified quality 
   constraints between two nodes (A and Z) for a given signal 
   represented either by a specific type or a general class with 
   associated parameters. In step (b) the RWA-Coordinating-PCE requests 
   up to K candidate paths between nodes A and Z and associated 
   acceptable wavelengths. In step (c) The IV-Candidates-PCE returns 
   this list to the RWA-Coordinating PCE which then uses this set of 
   paths and wavelengths as input (e.g. a constraint) to its RWA 
   computation. In step (d) the RWA-Coordinating-PCE request a detailed 
   verification of the path and wavelength that it has computed. In step 
   (e) the IV-Detailed-PCE returns the results of the validation to the 
   RWA-Coordinating-PCE. Finally in step (f)IA-RWA-Coordinating PCE 
   returns the final results (either a path and wavelength or cause for 
   the failure to compute a path and wavelength) to the PCC. 







 
 
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                +----------+      +--------------+      +------------+ 
    +---+       |RWA-Coord |      |IV-Candidates |      |IV-Detailed | 
    |PCC|       |   PCE    |      |     PCE      |      |    PCE     | 
    +-+-+       +----+-----+      +------+-------+      +-----+------+ 
      |.._   (a)     |                   |                    | 
      |   ``--.__    |                   |                    | 
      |          `-->|                   |                    | 
      |              |        (b)        |                    | 
      |              |--....____         |                    | 
      |              |          ````---.>|                    | 
      |              |                   |                    | 
      |              |         (c)  __..-|                    | 
      |              |     __..---''     |                    | 
      |              |<--''              |                    | 
      |              |                                        | 
      |              |...._____          (d)                  | 
      |              |         `````-----....._____           | 
      |              |                             `````----->| 
      |              |                                        | 
      |              |                 (e)          _____.....+ 
      |              |          _____.....-----'''''          | 
      |              |<----'''''                              | 
      |     (f)   __.|                                        | 
      |    __.--''   | 
      |<-''          | 
      |              | 
     Figure 6 Sequence diagram for the interactions between PCC, RWA-
         Coordinating-PCE, IV-Candidates-PCE and IV-Detailed-PCE. 

    

5. Security Considerations 

   This document discusses a number of control plane architectures that 
   incorporate knowledge of impairments in optical networks. If such 
   architecture is put into use within a network it will by its nature 
   contain details of the physical characteristics of an optical 
   network. Such information would need to be protected from intentional 
   or unintentional disclosure. 

6. IANA Considerations 

   This draft does not currently require any consideration from IANA.  

7. Acknowledgments 

   This document was prepared using 2-Word-v2.0.template.dot. 
 
 
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APPENDIX A: Overview of Optical Layer ITU-T Recommendations 

   For optical fiber, devices, subsystems and network elements the ITU-T 
   has a variety of recommendations that include definitions, 
   characterization parameters and test methods. In the following we 
   take a bottom up survey to emphasize the breadth and depth of the 
   existing recommendations.  We focus on digital communications over 
   single mode optical fiber. 

A.1. Fiber and Cables 

   Fibers and cables form a key component of what from the control plane 
   perspective could be termed an optical link. Due to the wide range of 
   uses of optical networks a fairly wide range of fiber types are used 
   in practice. The ITU-T has three main recommendations covering the 
   definition of attributes and test methods for single mode fiber: 

  o  Definitions and test methods for linear, deterministic attributes 
     of single-mode fibre and cable  [G.650.1] 

  o  Definitions and test methods for statistical and non-linear 
     related attributes of single-mode fibre and cable [G.650.2] 

  o  Test methods for installed single-mode fibre cable sections 
     [G.650.3] 

   General Definitions[G.650.1]: Mechanical Characteristics (numerous), 
   Mode field characteristics(mode field, mode field diameter, mode 
   field centre, mode field concentricity error, mode field non-
   circularity), Glass geometry characteristics, Chromatic dispersion 
   definitions (chromatic dispersion, group delay, chromatic dispersion 
   coefficient, chromatic dispersion slope, zero-dispersion wavelength, 
   zero-dispersion slope), cut-off wavelength, attenuation. Definition 
   of equations and fitting coefficients for chromatic dispersion (Annex 
   A). [G.650.2] polarization mode dispersion (PMD) - phenomenon of PMD, 
   principal states of polarization (PSP), differential group delay 
   (DGD), PMD value, PMD coefficient, random mode coupling, negligible 
   mode coupling, mathematical definitions in terms of Stokes or Jones 
   vectors. Nonlinear attributes: Effective area, correction factor k, 
   non-linear coefficient (refractive index dependent on intensity), 
   Stimulated Billouin scattering. 

   Tests defined [G.650.1]: Mode field diameter, cladding diameter, core 
   concentricity error, cut-off wavelength, attenuation, chromatic 
   dispersion. [G.650.2]: test methods for polarization mode dispersion. 
   [G.650.3] Test methods for characteristics of fibre cable sections 
   following installation: attenuation, splice loss, splice location, 
 
 
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   fibre uniformity and length of cable sections (these are OTDR based), 
   PMD, Chromatic dispersion. 

     

   With these definitions a variety of single mode fiber types are 
   defined as shown in the table below: 

      ITU-T Standard |  Common Name  
      ------------------------------------------------------------     
      G.652 [G.652]  |  Standard SMF                              | 
      G.653 [G.653]  |  Dispersion shifted SMF                    | 
      G.654 [G.654]  |  Cut-off shifted SMF                       | 
      G.655 [G.655]  |  Non-zero dispersion shifted SMF           | 
      G.656 [G.656]  |  Wideband non-zero dispersion shifted SMF  | 
      ------------------------------------------------------------ 
    
A.2. Devices 

A.2.1. Optical Amplifiers 

   Optical amplifiers greatly extend the transmission distance of 
   optical signals in both single channel and multi channel (WDM) 
   subsystems. The ITU-T has the following recommendations:  

  o  Definition and test methods for the relevant generic parameters of 
     optical amplifier devices and subsystems [G.661] 

  o  Generic characteristics of optical amplifier devices and 
     subsystems [G.662] 

  o  Application related aspects of optical amplifier devices and 
     subsystems [G.663] 

  o  Generic characteristics of Raman amplifiers and Raman amplified 
     subsystems [G.665] 

   Reference [G.661] starts with general classifications of optical 
   amplifiers based on technology and usage, and include a near 
   exhaustive list of over 60 definitions for optical amplifier device 
   attributes and parameters. In references [G.662] and [G.665] we have 
   characterization of specific devices, e.g., semiconductor optical 
   amplifier, used in a particular setting, e.g., line amplifier. For 
   example reference[G.662] gives the following minimum list of relevant 
   parameters for the specification of an optical amplifier device used 
   as line amplifier in a multichannel application: 

 
 
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   a) Channel allocation. 

   b) Total input power range. 

   c) Channel input power range. 

   d) Channel output power range. 

   e) Channel signal-spontaneous noise figure. 

   f) Input reflectance. 

   g) Output reflectance. 

   h) Maximum reflectance tolerable at input. 

   i) Maximum reflectance tolerable at output. 

   j) Maximum total output power. 

   k) Channel addition/removal (steady-state) gain response. 

   l) Channel addition/removal (transient) gain response. 

   m) Channel gain. 

   n) Multichannel gain variation (inter-channel gain difference). 

   o) Multichannel gain-change difference (inter-channel gain-change 
   difference). 

   p) Multichannel gain tilt (inter-channel gain-change ratio). 

   q) Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD).  

    

A.2.2. Dispersion Compensation 

   In optical systems two forms of dispersion are commonly encountered 
   [RFC4054] chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion 
   (PMD). There are a number of techniques and devices used for 
   compensating for these effects. The following ITU-T recommendations 
   characterize such devices: 

  o  Characteristics of PMD compensators and PMD compensating receivers 
     [G.666] 
 
 
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  o  Characteristics of Adaptive Chromatic Dispersion Compensators  
     [G.667] 

   The above furnish definitions as well as parameters and 
   characteristics. For example in [G.667] adaptive chromatic dispersion 
   compensators are classified as being receiver, transmitter or line 
   based, while in [G.666] PMD compensators are only defined for line 
   and receiver configurations. Parameters that are common to both PMD 
   and chromatic dispersion compensators include: line fiber type, 
   maximum and minimum input power, maximum and minimum bit rate, and 
   modulation type. In addition there are a great many parameters that 
   apply to each type of device and configuration. 

A.2.3.  Optical Transmitters 

   The definitions of the characteristics of optical transmitters can be 
   found in references [G.957], [G.691], [G.692] and [G.959.1]. In 
   addition references [G.957], [G.691], and [G.959.1] define specific 
   parameter values or parameter ranges for these characteristics for 
   interfaces for use in particular situations. 

   We generally have the following types of parameters 

   Wavelength related: Central frequency, Channel spacing, Central 
   frequency deviation[G.692].  

   Spectral characteristics of the transmitter: Nominal source type 
   (LED, MLM lasers, SLM lasers) [G.957], Maximum spectral width, Chirp 
   parameter, Side mode suppression ratio, Maximum spectral power 
   density [G.691]. 

   Power related: Mean launched power, Extinction ration, Eye pattern 
   mask [G.691], Maximum and minimum mean channel output power 
   [G.959.1]. 

A.2.4. Optical Receivers 

   References [G.959.1], [G.691], [G.692] and [G.957], define optical 
   receiver characteristics and [G.959.1], [G.691] and [G.957]give 
   specific values of these parameters for particular interface types 
   and network contexts. 

   The receiver parameters include: 

   Receiver sensitivity: minimum value of average received power to 
   achieve a 1x10-10 BER [G.957] or 1x10-12 BER [G.691]. See [G.957] and 
   [G.691] for assumptions on signal condition. 
 
 
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   Receiver overload: Receiver overload is the maximum acceptable value 
   of the received average power for a 1x10.10 BER [G.957] or a 1x10-12 
   BER [G.691]. 

   Receiver reflectance: "Reflections from the receiver back to the 
   cable plant are specified by the maximum permissible reflectance of 
   the receiver measured at reference point R." 

   Optical path power penalty: "The receiver is required to tolerate an 
   optical path penalty not exceeding X dB to account for total 
   degradations due to reflections, intersymbol interference, mode 
   partition noise, and laser chirp." 

   When dealing with multi-channel systems or systems with optical 
   amplifiers we may also need: 

   Optical signal-to-noise ratio: "The minimum value of optical SNR 
   required to obtain a 1x10-12 BER."[G.692] 

   Receiver wavelength range: "The receiver wavelength range is defined 
   as the acceptable range of wavelengths at point Rn. This range must 
   be wide enough to cover the entire range of central frequencies over 
   the OA passband." [G.692] 

   Minimum equivalent sensitivity: "This is the minimum sensitivity that 
   would be required of a receiver placed at MPI-RM in multichannel 
   applications to achieve the specified maximum BER of the application 
   code if all except one of the channels were to be removed (with an 
   ideal loss-less filter) at point MPI-RM." [G.959.1] 

A.3. Components and Subsystems  

   Reference [G.671] "Transmission characteristics of optical components 
   and subsystems" covers the following components: 

  o  optical add drop multiplexer (OADM) subsystem; 

  o  asymmetric branching component; 

  o  optical attenuator; 

  o  optical branching component (wavelength non-selective); 

  o  optical connector; 

  o  dynamic channel equalizer (DCE); 

 
 
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  o  optical filter; 

  o  optical isolator; 

  o  passive dispersion compensator; 

  o  optical splice; 

  o  optical switch; 

  o  optical termination; 

  o  tuneable filter; 

  o  optical wavelength multiplexer (MUX)/demultiplexer (DMUX); 

    - coarse WDM device; 

    - dense WDM device; 

    - wide WDM device.   

   Reference [G.671] then specifies applicable parameters for these 
   components. For example an OADM subsystem will have parameters such 
   as: insertion loss (input to output, input to drop, add to output), 
   number of add, drop and through channels, polarization dependent 
   loss, adjacent channel isolation, allowable input power, polarization 
   mode dispersion, etc... 

A.4. Network Elements 

   The previously cited ITU-T recommendations provide a plethora of 
   definitions and characterizations of optical fiber, devices, 
   components and subsystems. Reference [G.Sup39] "Optical system design 
   and engineering considerations" provides useful guidance on the use 
   of such parameters. 

   In many situations the previous models while good don't encompass the 
   higher level network structures that one typically deals with in the 
   control plane, i.e, "links" and "nodes". In addition such models 
   include the full range of network applications from planning, 
   installation, and possibly day to day network operations, while with 
   the control plane we are generally concerned with a subset of the 
   later. In particular for many control plane applications we are 
   interested in formulating the total degradation to an optical signal 
   as it travels through multiple optical subsystems, devices and fiber 
   segments. 
 
 
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   In reference [G.680] "Physical transfer functions of optical networks 
   elements", a degradation function is currently defined for the 
   following optical network elements: (a) DWDM Line segment, (b) 
   Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (OADM), and (c) Photonic cross-connect 
   (PXC). The scope of [G.680] is currently for optical networks 
   consisting of one vendors DWDM line systems along with another 
   vendors OADMs or PXCs. 

   The DWDM line system of [G.680] consists of the optical fiber, line 
   amplifiers and any embedded dispersion compensators. Similarly the 
   OADM/PXC network element may consist of the basic OADM component and 
   optionally included optical amplifiers. The parameters for these 
   optical network elements (ONE) are given under the following 
   circumstances: 

  o  General ONE without optical amplifiers 

  o  General ONE with optical amplifiers 

  o  OADM without optical amplifiers 

  o  OADM with optical amplifiers 

  o  Reconfigurable OADM (ROADM) without optical amplifiers 

  o  ROADM with optical amplifiers 

  o  PXC without optical amplifiers 

  o  PXC with optical amplifiers 

    















 
 
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8. References 

8.1. Normative References 

   [G.650.1] ITU-T Recommendation G.650.1, Definitions and test methods 
             for linear, deterministic attributes of single-mode fibre 
             and cable, June 2004. 

   [650.2]  ITU-T Recommendation G.650.2, Definitions and test methods 
             for statistical and non-linear related attributes of 
             single-mode fibre and cable, July 2007. 

   [650.3]  ITU-T Recommendation G.650.3 

   [G.652] ITU-T Recommendation G.652, Characteristics of a single-mode 
             optical fibre and cable, June 2005.  

   [G.653] ITU-T Recommendation G.653, Characteristics of a dispersion-
             shifted single-mode optical fibre and cable, December 2006. 

   [G.654] ITU-T Recommendation G.654, Characteristics of a cut-off 
             shifted single-mode optical fibre and cable, December 2006. 

   [G.655] ITU-T Recommendation G.655, Characteristics of a non-zero 
             dispersion-shifted single-mode optical fibre and cable, 
             March 2006. 

   [G.656] ITU-T Recommendation G.656, Characteristics of a fibre and 
             cable with non-zero dispersion for wideband optical 
             transport, December 2006. 

   [G.661]  ITU-T Recommendation G.661, Definition and test methods for 
             the relevant generic parameters of optical amplifier 
             devices and subsystems, March 2006. 

   [G.662]  ITU-T Recommendation G.662, Generic characteristics of 
             optical amplifier devices and subsystems, July 2005. 

   [G.671]  ITU-T Recommendation G.671, Transmission characteristics of 
             optical components and subsystems, January 2005. 

   [G.680]  ITU-T Recommendation G.680, Physical transfer functions of 
             optical network elements, July 2007. 

   [G.691]  ITU-T Recommendation G.691, Optical interfaces for 
             multichannel systems with optical amplifiers, November 
             1998. 
 
 
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   [G.692]  ITU-T Recommendation G.692, Optical interfaces for single 
             channel STM-64 and other SDH systems with optical 
             amplifiers, March 2006. 

   [G.872]  ITU-T Recommendation G.872, Architecture of optical 
             transport networks, November 2001. 

   [G.957]  ITU-T Recommendation G.957, Optical interfaces for 
             equipments and systems relating to the synchronous digital 
             hierarchy, March 2006. 

   [G.959.1] ITU-T Recommendation G.959.1, Optical Transport Network 
             Physical Layer Interfaces, March 2006. 

   [G.694.1] ITU-T Recommendation G.694.1, Spectral grids for WDM 
             applications: DWDM frequency grid, June 2002. 

   [G.694.2] ITU-T Recommendation G.694.2, Spectral grids for WDM 
             applications: CWDM wavelength grid, December 2003. 

   [G.698.1] ITU-T Recommendation G.698.1, Multichannel DWDM 
             applications with Single-Channel optical interface, 
             December 2006. 

   [G.698.2] ITU-T Recommendation G.698.2, Amplified multichannel DWDM 
             applications with Single-Channel optical interface, July 
             2007. 

   [G.Sup39] ITU-T Series G Supplement 39, Optical system design and 
             engineering considerations, February 2006.  

   [RFC3945] Mannie, E., Ed., "Generalized Multi-Protocol Label 
             Switching (GMPLS) Architecture", RFC 3945, October 2004. 

   [RFC4054] Strand, J., Ed., and A. Chiu, Ed., "Impairments and Other 
             Constraints on Optical Layer Routing", RFC 4054, May 2005. 

   [RFC4655] Farrel, A., Vasseur, J.-P., and J. Ash, "A Path Computation 
             Element (PCE)-Based Architecture", RFC 4655, August 2006. 

   [WSON-Frame] G. Bernstein, Y. Lee, W. Imajuku, "Framework for GMPLS 
             and PCE Control of Wavelength Switched Optical Networks", 
             work in progress: draft-ietf-ccamp-wavelength-switched-
             framework-02.txt, March 2009.   

    

 
 
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8.2. Informative References 

   [Imp-Info]  G. Bernstein, Y. Lee, D. Li, "A Framework for the Control 
             and Measurement of Wavelength Switched Optical Networks 
             (WSON) with Impairments", work in progress: draft-
             bernstein-wson-impairment-info. 

   [Martinelli]   G. Martinelli (ed.) and A. Zanardi (ed.), "GMPLS 
             Signaling Extensions for Optical Impairment Aware Lightpath 
             Setup", Work in Progress: draft-martinelli-ccamp-optical-
             imp-signaling-02.txt, February 2008.  

   [WSON-Comp] G. Bernstein, Y. Lee, Ben Mack-Crane, "WSON Signal 
             Characteristics and Network Element Compatibility 
             Constraints for GMPLS", work in progress: draft-bernstein-
             ccamp-wson-signal. 

    

Author's Addresses 

   Greg M. Bernstein (ed.)  
   Grotto Networking 
   Fremont California, USA 
       
   Phone: (510) 573-2237 
   Email: gregb@grotto-networking.com 
    

   Young Lee (ed.) 
   Huawei Technologies 
   1700 Alma Drive, Suite 100 
   Plano, TX 75075 
   USA 
    
   Phone: (972) 509-5599 (x2240) 
   Email: ylee@huawei.com 
    









 
 
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   Dan Li  
   Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.  
   F3-5-B R&D Center, Huawei Base,  
   Bantian, Longgang District  
   Shenzhen 518129 P.R.China  
    
   Phone: +86-755-28973237 
   Email: danli@huawei.com 
    

   Giovanni Martinelli  
   Cisco  
   Via Philips 12  
   20052 Monza, Italy  
    
   Phone: +39 039 2092044 
   Email: giomarti@cisco.com 
    

Contributor's Addresses 

   Ming Chen 
   Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.  
   F3-5-B R&D Center, Huawei Base,  
   Bantian, Longgang District  
   Shenzhen 518129 P.R.China  
 
   Phone: +86-755-28973237 
   Email: mchen@huawei.com 
    

   Rebecca Han 
   Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.  
   F3-5-B R&D Center, Huawei Base,  
   Bantian, Longgang District  
   Shenzhen 518129 P.R.China  
 
   Phone: +86-755-28973237 
   Email: hanjianrui@huawei.com 
    







 
 
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   Gabriele Galimberti 
   Cisco  
   Via Philips 12,  
   20052 Monza, Italy   
 
   Phone: +39 039 2091462 
   Email: ggalimbe@cisco.com 

   Alberto Tanzi 
   Cisco  
   Via Philips 12,  
   20052 Monza, Italy   
 
   Phone: +39 039 2091469 
   Email: altanzi@cisco.com 

   David Bianchi 
   Cisco  
   Via Philips 12,  
   20052 Monza, Italy   
 
   Email: davbianc@cisco.com 

   Moustafa Kattan 
   Cisco  
 
   Email: mkattan@cisco.com 

   Dirk Schroetter 
   Cisco  
 
   Email: dschroet@cisco.com 

    

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Acknowledgment 

   We thank Chen Ming of DICONNET Project who provided valuable 
   information relevant to this document.  

   We'd also like to thank Deborah Brungard for editorial and technical 
   assistance. 

    

    














 
 
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