VPW: Combinatorial Optimization, Automation, and Very High Speed Optical Networking

Development of the national information infrastructure is a top priority direction by which this country has chosen to drive its technology to the future, innovate its social and economical interests, and maintain its international competitiveness and technological lead. At the backbone of this information superhighway lies the breakthrough technology of optical networks. This research outlines the relevance of the mathematical techniques of algorithmic graph theory and combinatorial optimization in the design and operations of backbone all-optical networks. Three prototype classes of problems will be investigated. The first class is new and it exemplifies minimization of investment cost. The second class is also new and it exemplifies optimization of service. The third class exemplifies maximization of technological benefits, and has been previously examined under different model assumptions. The significance of automation in high speed network studies and relevance of algorithms and optimization in the manufacturing of all-optical devices for all-optical networks will be outlined. Interactive activites include: teaching a graduate course on Approximation Algorithms and Applications, teaching an undergraduate course on Introduction to Algorithms, organizing a workshop on Computational Support for Very High Speed Networking, and organizing student field trips to visit laboratories at Bellcore.