SDN-enabled Sliceable BVT Based on Multicarrier Technology for Multi-Flow Rate/Distance and Grid Adaptation

We propose a sliceable bandwidth variable transceiver (S-BVT) architecture suitable for metro/regional elastic networks and highly scalable data center (DC) applications. It adopts multicarrier modulation (MCM), either OFDM or DMT, and a cost-effective optoelectronic front-end. The high-capacity S-BVT is programmable, adaptive and reconfigurable by an SDN controller for efficient resource usage, enabling unique granularity, flexibility and grid adaptation, even in conventional fixed-grid networks. We experimentally demonstrate its multiple advanced functionalities in a four-node photonic mesh network. This includes SDN-enabled rate/distance adaptive multi-flow generation and routing/switching, slice-ability, flexibility and adaptability for the mitigation of spectrum fragmentation as well as for a soft migration towards the flexi-grid paradigm.© 2016IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works. Grant No: TEC2012-38119 (FARO