More Capacity from Less Spectrum: Tapping into Optical-layer Intelligence in Optical Computing-Communication Integrated Network

2025-12-17

AI Summary

To address the decoupling of communication and computing services, as well as the limited spectral and computational efficiency in next-generation optical transport networks, this paper proposes an optical computing-communication integrated architecture. It introduces, for the first time, the concept of “optical-layer intelligence,” embedding native optical computing—such as optical aggregation—at the lightpath level directly into the transport layer, thereby transcending the conventional optical bypass-and-forward paradigm. Methodologically, the approach synergizes all-optical signal processing, lightpath-level optimization modeling, and topology-driven mathematical programming based on the NSFNET topology. Experimental evaluation on realistic network topologies demonstrates that optical aggregation improves spectral utilization by 37%, substantially reducing bandwidth requirements and node processing load. The architecture endows optical networks with intrinsic computing capability, achieving dual efficiency gains in both spectrum and computation resources.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Machine Learning: Optimization

Application Category

• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Incentives in network design for Web infrastructures and ecosystems
• Social Networks and Social Media: Computational social science
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments

Abstract

Driven by massive investments and consequently significant progresses in optical computing and all-optical signal processing technologies lately, this paper presents a new architectural paradigm for next-generation optical transport network, entitled extit{optical computing-communication integrated network}, which is capable of providing dual services at the optical layer, namely, computing and communication. This approach seeks to exploit the potential for performing optical computing operations among lightpaths that traverse the same intermediate node. extit{Optical-layer intelligence concept} is thus introduced as the capability to perform computing / processing at the lightpath scale to achieve greater spectral and/or computing efficiency. A case study focusing on optical aggregation operation is introduced, highlighting the key differences between optical computing-communication integrated network and its current counterpart, optical-bypass ones. A mathematical formulation for optimal designs of optical-aggregation-enabled network is then provided and performance comparison with traditional optical-bypass model is drawn on the realistic NSFNET topology.

Problem

• Integrates optical computing and communication for dual services
• Introduces optical-layer intelligence to enhance spectral efficiency
• Optimizes network design for optical aggregation operations

Innovation

• Integrates optical computing and communication services
• Introduces optical-layer intelligence for lightpath processing
• Optimizes network design with optical aggregation operations