Multi-Band Transparent Optical Network Planning Strategies for 6g-Ready European Networks

As long-haul network operators upgrade core optical networks to support 5G services, research and standardization efforts for 6G have begun. Keeping in mind the ever-growing demand for high-bandwidth services, our work proposes a novel core-network traffic model which exploits the network’s graph and population metric to estimate demands. We further develop a multi-period Routing, Configuration, and Spectrum Assignment (RCSA) algorithm which takes as input the traffic model demands, and provides network metrics spread across all planning periods. A multi-period multi-band transparent optical network planning study on three European networks is undertaken, using two deployment approaches; namely, flexible bandwidth variable transceivers (Flex-BVTs) and transparent IP over wavelength division multiplexing (IPoWDM). We show that Flex-BVT places up to 15% lesser equipment into the network while carrying up to 20% higher traffic. Using a simple Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) calculation, we also show that the CAPEX-per-bit of deploying Flex-BVTs is up to 12% lower, as compared to transparent IPoWDM solutions.