New flex-grid system prevents optical network 'traffic jams'
Thursday, March 7, 2013 - 11:34
in Mathematics & Economics
Services like Google Maps use algorithms to determine the fastest route from point A to point B—even factoring in real-time traffic information as you travel to redirect you if, for example, a parade is blocking part of your route. Now, a team of researchers from Spain and Japan have achieved this kind of traffic control for the connections in optical networks by using a new dynamic network management system—and it does Google Maps one better. If necessary, the flexible-grid system can also redirect the traffic-congesting parade to another street (by re-arranging one or more existing connections), so you (a single new connection) wouldn't have to go out of your way to avoid gridlock.