Cycles in wavelength routed optical networks

Signals in wavelength routed optical networks can oscillate in closed cycles resulting in adverse effects on network operation. In particular, amplified spontaneous emission from erbium doped fiber amplifiers can form recirculating loops that lead to amplifier saturation and oscillations. Searching, enumerating and eliminating these closed cycles becomes a problem that the network designer must address. A variety of cross-connect technologies are studied and shown to result in oscillating cycles in the network. Topological and technological approaches based on Eulerian network theory and other methods are proposed to eliminate these cycle problems.